McHugh (elbow) threw an 18-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

McHugh was limited to throwing fastballs Wednesday but his return to mound work is a major step in his recovery from right elbow discomfort. The 31-year-old remains without a firm timetable for his return, but he should continue ramping up the intensity in his throwing sessions.

McHugh (elbow) played catch Monday but offered no significant update on his rehab, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Astros are slow-rolling McHugh's return from elbow discomfort, which is the prudent thing to do. Thoughts of McHugh's return pop up after his eventual replacement in the rotation, Corbin Martin, couldn't get out of the fourth inning for a third straight start Monday. Prior to being placed on the injured list, McHugh had been working out of the bullpen, but Martin's struggles could eventually lead to McHugh's return to a starting role.

McHugh's sore elbow hasn't made any progress lately, so he'll take some more time to rest his arm, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

An MRI on McHugh's elbow last week revealed no structural damage, but he remains not close to a return. He's played catch since landing on the injured list but his elbow did not respond particularly well. There doesn't appear to be any clear timeline for his return.

An MRI on McHugh's elbow did not reveal any structural damage, and the hope is that some rest will allow the soreness/inflammation to subside, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

He is not out of the woods by any means, but it sounds like McHugh's elbow injury is on the mild side, and may not require surgery. It is possible that he was pitching through this issue over the past month, when he really began to implode after a great first four starts of the season. There is no timetable for his return, but he was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

McHugh was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with right elbow discomfort, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

He lost fantasy relevance in many formats after a four-game stretch from April 21 to May 7 when he gave up 24 earned runs in 18 innings that relegated him to the bullpen. It is unclear how long this elbow injury has been bothering him, but it may have been the reason for those unforeseen struggles after he got off to a good start through four turns in the rotation. Brady Rodgers was promoted to take McHugh's spot in the bullpen. Consider McHugh out indefinitely.

McHugh struck out four over two scoreless innings in Tuesday's 11-4 win over Detroit.

EDGE Analysis

This was McHugh's second outing out of the bullpen and his most encouraging effort since mid-April. After a miserable stretch during which he posted an 11.44 ERA over 19.2 innings, he'll need to string together more outings like this to get back in the starting rotation. He was an effective reliever for Houston in 2018, but the Astros already have a strong, deep relief corps and could make better use of the 31-year-old right-hander as a starter.

McHugh will be moved to the bullpen, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

McHugh has struggled to a 6.37 ERA in eight starts so far this season, with a particularly poor 12.00 ERA over his last four. He had success as a reliever last season, recording a 1.99 ERA in 58 appearances. Corbin Martin is expected to be promoted for his big-league debut to start Sunday against Texas.

The Astros are focused on McHugh's fastball command as the root cause of the recent downturn in his performance, David Barron of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

McHugh was lit up by the Royals on Tuesday when he allowed seven hits and eight runs in three-plus innings, and the right-hander has a 12.00 ERA over his last four starts (0-3). "He has to be able to throw his fastball to his glove side a little better - inside to lefties and away to righties," manager A.J. Hinch said. "In the starts where he's had a hard time, he hasn't been able to get his fastball where he wants it, and that impacts his breaking ball." With his wavering fastball command, McHugh relies on his breaking pitches to get back into the count, Hinch noted. And by the second time through a lineup, opposing hitters know what to expect. McHugh will look for improved results in his next start Sunday at home against the Rangers.

McHugh (3-4) took the loss Tuesday as the Astros fell 12-2 to the Royals, coughing up eight runs on seven hits and three walks over three-plus innings while striking out three.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander served up two more homers, including a Ryan O'Hearn grand slam in the third inning, continuing a problem that's been destroying his numbers in recent starts. McHugh has now been taken deep eight times in his last 18 innings over four outings, sending his ERA soaring from 1.96 to 6.37 and leaving fantasy GMs who expected a breakout from him this season shaking their heads. He'll try to turn things around and keep the ball in the park in his next start Sunday, at home against the Rangers.

McHugh (3-3) gave up four runs on five hits with one walk while striking out two through six innings taking the loss against the Twins on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

McHugh was sluggish through six innings, highlighted by the third inning where he allowed five baserunners and three runs to score. After beginning the season with a 1.96 ERA in his first four starts, the 31-year-old has struggled in his last three outings. He has a 3-3 record with a 4.97 ERA and 39:11 K:BB through seven starts this season. McHugh will get his next start Tuesday against the Royals.