Aaron Ashby: Everything you need to know

Ashby (4-0) earned the win in relief Wednesday against the Blue Jays after pitching a scoreless eighth inning, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out three. Ashby allowed a two-out single to Daulton Varsho and later walked Vladimir Guerrero, but he closed out the frame by punching out Myles Straw. Ashby has been a reliable arm out of the bullpen for the Brewers, posting a 22:6 K:BB across 13.2 innings of work in 10 appearances already. His 3.29 ERA is far from appealing, but he should continue to have strong fantasy upside due to his ability to miss bats while also maintaining a high-leverage role out of the Brewers' pen.

Ashby allowed two runs on three hits with four strikeouts across 2.1 innings as the Brewers' opener in Friday's 7-3 loss to the Nationals. Ashby threw a season-high 44 pitches and was tagged for both runs in the top of the first inning, as James Wood doubled to lead off the game before Curtis Mead singled him home in the next at-bat. CJ Abrams later doubled home Mead. Following Ashby's 2.1 innings, Chad Patrick threw three shutout frames, allowing three hits and one walk with no strikeouts on 50 pitches. Ashby has appeared in an MLB-high eight games already this season and owns a 3.75 ERA and 18:5 K:BB across 12 innings.

Ashby will serve as the opener ahead of Chad Patrick on Friday against the Nationals, Jack Stern of BrewerFanatic.com reports. The Nationals typically have four lefties in the top five of their lineup against right-handed pitching, so opening with a lefty before turning the ball over to Patrick makes sense. Ashby already leads the majors with seven appearances this season and has a 3-0 record, 2.79 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB across 9.2 innings.