Reds activate pitchers Chase Burns, Graham Ashcraft from IL

The Cincinnati Reds activated rookie fireballer Chase Burns and fellow right-hander Graham Ashcraft from the 15-day injured list on Thursday.

Burns, 22, has not pitched for the Reds since Aug. 8 due to a Grade 1 flexor strain in his right elbow. He is 0-3 with a 5.24 ERA in eight starts, striking out exactly 10 batters in four of his last five appearances.

Ashcraft, 27, has not pitched for Cincinnati since Aug. 24 because of a right forearm strain. He is 8-5 with a 3.72 ERA in 53 relief appearances this season, his fourth with the Reds.

In corresponding transactions, the Reds optioned right-handers Lyon Richardson (0-3, 4.54) and Yosver Zulueta (1-0, 6.14) to Triple-A Louisville following Wednesday's 2-1 win at San Diego.