Headlines

  • Yordan Alvarez Shut Down Due To Setback With Hand Injury
  • Giants Exercise 2026 Option On Manager Bob Melvin
  • Astros Place Jeremy Peña On Injured List With Fractured Rib
  • Tucker Barnhart To Retire
  • Tyler Mahle To Be Sidelined Beyond Trade Deadline
  • Reds Release Jeimer Candelario
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025 Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Collin McHugh Cleared To Begin Throwing

By Steve Adams | February 28, 2020 at 10:06pm CDT

10:06PM: The Blue Jays are one of the teams with some interest in McHugh, as TSN’s Scott Mitchell (Twitter link) reports that the right-hander “has been discussed internally” within Toronto’s front office.

11:03AM: Free-agent righty Collin McHugh has recently been cleared to begin a throwing program after undergoing a (non-surgical) tenex procedure on his right elbow, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman tweets. A wide range of clubs have recently checked in on his status.

The latest update on McHugh — and really the first of the offseason — indicates that he’s a ways behind pitchers who are currently in camp, so he’s not likely to be plugged into a team’s pitching staff from the outset of the season. McHugh missed about a third of the 2019 season due to ongoing discomfort in his right elbow and didn’t look like himself when he was healthy enough to take the mound. In 74 2/3 innings of work, he was hammered for a 4.70 ERA and a 4.43 FIP with 9.9 K/9, 3.6 BB/9, 1.45 HR/9 and a 38 percent grounder rate. The 32-year-old’s average fastball sat at 92.1 mph in 2018 but dipped to 90.8 mph in 2019. His swinging-strike rate, opponents’ exit velocity and opponents’ hard-hit rate all went in the wrong direction.

That said, McHugh was lights out in a bullpen setting in 2018, spinning a pristine 1.99 ERA through 72 1/3 innings with averages of 11.7 K/9, 2.6 BB/9 and 0.75 HR/9. And from 2014-17, McHugh was a quality rotation piece in Houston: 606 1/3 innings of 3.70 ERA (3.60 FIP) with 8.4 K/9 against 2.5 BB/9. He was one of the first spin-rate darlings in MLB, as the huge spin on his curve is reportedly what prompted the ’Stros to pluck him out of the Rockies organization via a 2013 waiver claim.

It’d be easy to make the case for how McHugh could help virtually any club in baseball. The price tag on him shouldn’t be too high at this point — if he requires a big league deal at all — so it’ll be more a question of where McHugh feels comfortable and feels he’s presented with the best opportunity. That could mean signing on with a rebuilding club that’ll give him rotation innings or suiting up for a win-now club with fewer innings to offer but greater promise of a return to the postseason. Those preferences will be for McHugh and agent Mike Moye to sort out, but interest in the right-hander should be robust now that he’s able to get on a throwing program and give prospective new teams a clearer timeline for his return.

Share 0 Retweet 26 Send via email0

Toronto Blue Jays Collin McHugh

How Much Could Yoan Moncada Command In An Extension?
Main
NL West Notes: Pederson, Leake, Rockies
View Comments (49)
Post a Comment

49 Comments

  1. eyesaiah

    5 years ago

    White Sox should be in on this

    2
    Reply
    • John Kappel

      5 years ago

      They’ve got 7 pitchers already in the rotation with more on the way. Why should the Sox do this?

      Reply
      • mark1125

        5 years ago

        Some guys just want every player who hits the market.

        Reply
      • dynamite drop in monty

        5 years ago

        Because it’s better to have 8

        7
        Reply
      • Kraz Nadler

        5 years ago

        why shouldn’t they

        1
        Reply
      • eyesaiah

        5 years ago

        ever heard of a bullpen?

        3
        Reply
      • Koamalu

        5 years ago

        He is a reliever.

        Reply
  2. cookmeister 2

    5 years ago

    Angels should be in on this

    Reply
    • seattlebaseball24

      5 years ago

      ulnar collateral ligament

      Reply
  3. WideWorldofSports

    5 years ago

    Yankees

    2
    Reply
    • Rudy Zolteck

      5 years ago

      Lol if the Yankees are worried about dudes getting hurt then McHugh probably shouldn’t be on their list

      1
      Reply
  4. No one likes tomatos

    5 years ago

    Nationals should sign him to a minor league deal and be the 5 th starter

    Reply
    • virginiascopist

      5 years ago

      The Nationals already have a three-way battle for a 5th starter (Joe Ross, Austin Voth, Eric Fedde).

      Reply
      • mlb1225

        5 years ago

        Then sign him to the bullpen. The Nationals can always use bullpen help.

        2
        Reply
        • Bill M

          5 years ago

          There are about 25 teams that need bullpen help more than the Nata

          Reply
  5. khopper10

    5 years ago

    Mariners

    2
    Reply
    • Sonny42

      5 years ago

      But they wont they wont sign n e one that could possibly help them

      Reply
  6. rememberthecoop

    5 years ago

    With their rotation issues and payroll inflexibility, this screams Cubs to me.

    Reply
  7. Dorothy_Mantooth

    5 years ago

    Red Sox are set to open the season with 3 starting pitchers. Chaim Bloom should send the private plane for him!

    5
    Reply
    • dynamite drop in monty

      5 years ago

      I agree.

      Reply
    • JoeBrady

      5 years ago

      I agree, and it would be a good landing spot for him. There is not a lot of certainty in the BP, and even if we are healthy, there will be at least one rotation slot open.

      Reply
  8. thorshair

    5 years ago

    _______ team should be in on this guy!!!’

    9
    Reply
    • DockEllisDee

      5 years ago

      Lol beat me to it!

      Reply
  9. Rangers29

    5 years ago

    I actually didn’t realize he was injured, I was surprised he wasn’t signed yet.

    1
    Reply
    • antibelt

      5 years ago

      Hasn’t thrown a baseball yet, so no teams would offer him anything. If he waits to showcase himself, he may get a major league offer.

      Reply
    • Rudy Zolteck

      5 years ago

      He’s had shoulder problems in Houston and then elbow last year on top of him just collapsing at starter (maybe related, of course). Unfortunately that’s just how it goes

      Reply
  10. Kraz Nadler

    5 years ago

    Come back to the Mets

    1
    Reply
    • Bill M

      5 years ago

      Yes.
      The Syracuse Mets

      Reply
  11. MoRivera 1999

    5 years ago

    Wonder where all the articles went. With all the complaining about this type of article and that type of article I thought, if MLBTR cuts out those articles we’ll get 3 or 4 a day instead of 7-10. Well, here we are. This is what it could be like if MLBTR cuts out those articles. Careful what you wish for.

    Reply
    • Rangers29

      5 years ago

      Well, some of the articles just don’t stick with the crowd. I liked the two articles about bounce back players in the A.L West, those were good. But some of the ones for example, the Mookie Betts / A’s one, just didn’t stick. I like the creativity of some of MLBTR’s articles, but some just don’t fit the crowd. Personally I’d like to see a series of articles about the different parts of an MLB organiation, and what each part does. I know what pretty much everything does, but if there are casual baseball fans that read it, they could learn how much goes into the workings of an organization.

      Reply
  12. depressedtribefan

    5 years ago

    Let’s go Cleveland. let’s get on this

    1
    Reply
  13. whyhayzee

    5 years ago

    He could be McHuge if a team came Collin on him.

    4
    Reply
    • vtadave

      5 years ago

      I guess you tried.

      4
      Reply
  14. rangers92

    5 years ago

    Redsox should be all over this dude

    Reply
  15. californiaangels

    5 years ago

    angles .. literally just sign another 5 arms plz

    1
    Reply
  16. Jpenglish

    5 years ago

    I’d love to see him in a Tribe uniform.

    Reply
  17. snotrocket

    5 years ago

    He got hammered to a 4.70 era? So in a terrible, injury plagued season he is still as good as Matt Boyd.

    1
    Reply
  18. angt222

    5 years ago

    Mets should offer a minor league deal with $1M salary if he makes the major league squad by July.

    Reply
    • Boogaloo

      5 years ago

      And about 10 other teams will as well

      2
      Reply
  19. the kutch

    5 years ago

    Am I the only guy who sees the Astros starting rotation teetering on the edge??…Two veterans with a lot of mileage on them (JV and Greinke) and three question marks….I think this team struggles to play .500 ball this season…

    1
    Reply
  20. Jeff Zanghi

    5 years ago

    The Red Sox should take a flier on him — they could use him either in the rotation or bullpen… or in some sort of hybrid/opener/etc role. There’s no denying his talent and effectiveness when healthy and with the Sox other pitchers health concerns (Sale, Eovaldi, etc) adding another arm with the upside of McHugh could definitely be a benefit for the club.

    Reply
  21. Rsox

    5 years ago

    Bloom probably should be in on this. Sox need to start adding pitching somewhere.

    Reply
  22. Unclenolanrules

    5 years ago

    McHugh was never a particularly hard thrower. The Astros used an injury to stick him in the bullpen, he wants to start. He was a strikeout machine, he is a smart guy, and if you are say the Angels or Padres and you want a low risk high ceiling guy, he’s it. If he struggles as a starter but pitches well in a bullpen roll or opener, he brings a great deal of value, even as a potential trade piece. He’ll go where he will be able to be a starter.

    Reply
  23. MZ311

    5 years ago

    The Yankees should sign this guy

    Reply
  24. hiflew

    5 years ago

    I’m going to go the opposite route of everyone else. I hope he goes anywhere EXCEPT Colorado. Even though the Rox could use someone like McHugh, I saw enough of him in 2012 to do me. I don’t wish him bad luck, but I do wish he stays away from my team.

    Reply
    • its_happening

      5 years ago

      8 years is a long time.

      Reply
    • Ketch

      5 years ago

      Actually pitchers like McHugh might benefit from the thin Colorado air if it allows for just that much more break on his curve

      Reply
  25. its_happening

    5 years ago

    Would not be a bad move whatsoever if the Blue Jays acquired him.

    1
    Reply
  26. Ketch

    5 years ago

    No team needs him more than Boston. Of course, his agent undoubtedly knows this.

    1
    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Yordan Alvarez Shut Down Due To Setback With Hand Injury

    Giants Exercise 2026 Option On Manager Bob Melvin

    Astros Place Jeremy Peña On Injured List With Fractured Rib

    Tucker Barnhart To Retire

    Tyler Mahle To Be Sidelined Beyond Trade Deadline

    Reds Release Jeimer Candelario

    Dave Parker Passes Away

    Griffin Canning Diagnosed With Ruptured Achilles

    Pirates Reportedly Have Very Few Untouchable Players At Trade Deadline

    Griffin Canning Believed To Have Suffered Achilles Injury

    Mariners Looking For Corner Infield Bats; Ownership Willing To Bump Payroll

    Wander Franco Found Guilty Of Sexual Abuse

    Mariners Place Rowdy Tellez On Release Waivers

    Max Meyer To Undergo Season-Ending Hip Surgery

    Whit Merrifield Announces Retirement

    White Sox Sign Noah Syndergaard To Minor League Deal

    Corbin Carroll Placed On IL With Wrist Fracture

    Hoops Rumors Has The Latest On NBA Draft, Free Agency

    Mets Option Francisco Alvarez

    Reds To Promote Chase Burns For MLB Debut

    Recent

    Mets Trade Donovan Walton To Phillies

    Colin Poche Elects Free Agency

    Trey Mancini Opts Out Of D-Backs Deal

    Padres To Select Eduarniel Nunez

    Brewers’ Connor Thomas To Undergo Elbow Surgery

    Yordan Alvarez Shut Down Due To Setback With Hand Injury

    Jorge Mateo To Miss 8 To 12 Weeks With Hamstring Strain

    Reds To Sign Buck Farmer To Minor League Deal

    Pirates Trade Hunter Stratton To Braves

    Rockies Designate Sam Hilliard For Assignment, Select Austin Nola

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Sandy Alcantara Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Alex Bregman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version