Pirates All-Star Braxton Ashcraft will not pitch again this season because of arm fatigue

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Braxton Ashcraft delivers against the Los Angeles... — Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Braxton Ashcraft delivers against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. Credit: AP/Tom E. Puskar

By The Associated PressUpdated September 19, 2026 6:39 pm

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star right-hander Braxton Ashcraft will not pitch again this season because of right arm discomfort.

Ashcraft was placed on the 15-day injured list on Sept. 10 with the hope he might be able to return during the season's final week. He was examined this week by Texas Rangers physician Dr. Keith Meister and advised to begin preparing for 2027.

Ashcraft finished his first full big league season 14-6 with a 3.65 ERA in 28 starts.

“I was never concerned,” Ashcraft said Saturday. “Nobody ever had a concern about anything being structural or anything that was more than just general discomfort because of fatigue.”