Pirates' Playoff Push Gets Rocked: All-Star Braxton Ashcraft Hits IL With Arm Trouble

Just when the Pittsburgh Pirates needed every arm on deck for a late playoff charge, the baseball gods threw a nasty curveball.

The Pirates placed All-Star right-hander Braxton Ashcraft on the 15-day injured list Thursday with right arm discomfort, retroactive to Monday.

What Went Down

Ashcraft's last start was a grind: five innings, three runs allowed on seven hits in a loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday. That was enough for the Pirates to shut him down and hope the 26-year-old can bounce back before the season slips away.

It's a brutal blow for a Pittsburgh squad that entered Thursday five games back of the final NL wild-card spot.

Why It Hurts

Ashcraft has been one of the majors' best breakout stories in 2026. In his second big league season, he's 14-6 with a 3.65 ERA and an NL All-Star nod to his name.

In a corresponding move, the Pirates recalled right-hander Antwone Kelly from Triple-A Indianapolis. Now the question is simple: can Pittsburgh survive without its rising star while the playoff race heats up?