Astros: Collin McHugh on the IL, Brady Rodgers called up

Astros’ pitcher Collin McHugh has been placed on the 10-day Injured List due to elbow discomfort. Brady Rodgers has been called up from AAA Round Rock.

McHugh was taken out of the starting rotation and placed in the bullpen a couple of weeks ago. He has pitched only twice in relief since, the last outing on May 14. His official date on the Injured List will be retroactive to May 18. Brady Rodgers has been called up from the Astros’ AAA affiliate Round Rock Express.

It’s unclear how long McHugh has been experiencing the discomfort in his right elbow. An MRI performed today showed no structural damage. He has struggled this season from the starter role with an ERA of 6.37. In his two appearances from the pen, he has pitched 3.2 innings giving up one run, three hits, and a walk while striking out six.

In McHugh’s first four starts of the season, he went 3-1 and had an ERA of 1.96. It was looking like he was off to a great start to the season. In the next four starts, McHugh had an ERA of 12.00 and lost all four games.

He surrendered only one home run in those first four games but then allowed eight homers in his next four appearances. It’s like he had two completely different seasons. Is it’s possible the elbow problems may have gone all the way back to that deep drop in performance?

Coming up from the Minors, Brady Rodgers will take his place in the pen. Rodgers has eight appearances with the Express, seven of those as a starter. He is 4-0 and possesses an ERA of 3.22. He won his lone game as a reliever and went three innings. The native Texan will most likely play the role as the long relief pitcher out of the pen for the Astros.

McHugh will be the second player joining Jose Altuve on the IL, along with George Springer and Aledmys Diaz experiencing injury issues themselves. This could also result in assuring a longer stay in the Big Leagues for Corbin Martin.