Braxton Ashcraft: Everything you need to know

The Pirates placed Ashcraft (personal) on the bereavement/family medical emergency list Saturday. Ashcraft had been scheduled to make his next start Monday versus St. Louis, but he'll miss that outing since he's required to sit out at least three (and no more than seven) games while on the bereavement list. Pittsburgh called up reliever Cam Sanders from Triple-A Indianapolis to temporarily fill Ashcraft's spot on the 26-man roster. It's unclear who will slide into Ashcraft's rotation spot for what will likely be a spot start Monday.

Ashcroft didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Rangers after tossing seven innings of two-run ball, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out five. Had Ashcraft received a little more support from an offense that woke up to score four runs in the top of the ninth inning, he could've easily earned the win after a solid outing. Ashcraft continued his strong start to the campaign with a fifth straight start in which he allowed two or fewer earned runs, and he's pitched at least six innings three times in that stretch. The right-hander will take his 2.43 ERA and 1.01 WHIP across 29.2 innings into his next start, which is tentatively scheduled for next week at home against the Cardinals.

Ashcraft settled for a no-decision Thursday against the Nationals, allowing five runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out seven in 5.2 innings pitched. Ashcraft's streak of allowing two or fewer earned runs in a start this season will continue, however five runs charged to him did come across in Thursday's contest, the most he's allowed since becoming a starter. The 26-year-old continued to strike batters out at a high rate, sending seven Nationals hitters down via the strikeout. That brings his total up to 27 against just seven walks through 22.2 innings of work on the year. The right-hander is lined up to wrestle with the Rangers, tied for fifth in MLB with 21 home runs, in his next start.