Asher allowed two hits, one run and struck out two over two innings on Friday afternoon in a 9-4 Grapefruit League loss to the Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. He allowed a home run to Didi Gregorious in the first.
Asher went 2-1 with a 2.28 ERA in five starts late last season with the Phillies. He struggled the previous year, posting a 9.31 ERA in seven starts. The two-seamer made him much more effective in 2016, but as he searched for another edge, Asher stumbled with the cutter.
"Just something we brainstormed at the end of last year, kind of like the two-seamer the year before, something we think would fit in my arsenal," Asher said.