McHugh (back) will have his Monday start skipped due to back soreness, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rome indicated the move was made with "an abundance of caution" as McHugh is set for a bullpen session after Tuesday's off day. Manager AJ Hinch also downplayed the injury after the 31-year-old was pulled early from Wednesday's start. Assuming all goes well in his throwing session, McHugh is next expected to see game action next Saturday.

McHugh (back) is scheduled to start one of the Astros' split-squad game Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

McHugh exited Wednesday's start against the Nationals due to back soreness, but he and manager AJ Hinch downplayed the injury afterward. Hinch reiterated that notion Friday, indicating that he fully anticipates the 31-year-old to take the mound.

Manager AJ Hinch said he has "zero" concern about McHugh's back, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. "We hoped to get 12 or 15 more pitches out of him, but the first time out, it's not that alarming," the manager said. "We're going to err on the side of caution. This was a regular season game, he'd have gone back out there."

EDGE Analysis

McHugh exited Wednesday's game against the Nationals after just one inning due to back soreness. Both McHugh and Hinch downplayed the issue afterwards, so it doesn't sound like anything that will affect his status for the start of the season at this point. Still, his status will be worth monitoring throughout camp seeing as he's dealt with back injuries on and off in the past.

McHugh left his Grapefruit League start Wednesday against the Nationals due to back soreness, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

McHugh seemed to hurt his back while fielding a bunt by Adam Eaton, throwing the ball away into the first-base dugout. The veteran isn't particularly worried about the injury, as he's dealt with back problems from time to time throughout his career and may have remained in the game if not for the threat of rain. Still, it's not good news for the Astros, who also lost fellow starter Josh James earlier in the day due to a quad strain. Brad Peacock and Framber Valdez appear to be the primary competitors for the fifth starter spot in James' absence, and both could make the rotation should McHugh's injury prove worse than initially suspected.

McHugh and the Astros avoided arbitration Friday by agreeing to a one-year contract, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

The exact terms of the agreement are not yet known. McHugh had been purely a starter for four straight seasons but transitioned full-time to the bullpen last year with excellent results, posting a 1.99 ERA and a 33.2 percent strikeout rate in 72.1 innings. He'll likely remain in the pen to start the season this year but could be an option for spot starts if necessary.

McHugh will rejoin the rotation in 2019, Brian McTaggart of the Astros' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Astros will have some new faces in the rotation next season, brought upon by the departure of Charlie Morton, the expected departure of Dallas Keuchel and an injury to Lance McCullers (elbow). McHugh isn't actually a new face. He was a starter for the Astros from 2014 to 2017 before a strong season as a reliever in 2018.

McHugh struck out two over a scoreless eighth inning, picking up the hold in Friday's 2-1 win over Baltimore.

EDGE Analysis

McHugh came on in the eighth inning with a one-run lead, typically a spot for Hector Rondon, and set up the save for Roberto Osuna. Seeing McHugh work the eighth inning, instead of Rondon, is a reminder of the bullpen depth at manager A.J. Hinch's disposal.

McHugh allowed two hits and a walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

McHugh had been stellar out of the bullpen for much of the year, but has lost his effectiveness since the beginning of August. The right-hander's ERA stood at 0.98 ERA as recently has Aug. 10 but has a 5.87 ERA over his last 16 outings.

McHugh is an option for a fill-in start if Lance McCullers (elbow) is unable to make his next scheduled turn Friday against Seattle, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

McCullers was removed from Saturday's game prior to the fifth inning with what the Astros described as right elbow discomfort. McHugh and Brad Peacock -- both former starters -- pitched in relief and should get consideration as a replacement for McCullers.

McHugh (5-1) was tagged with his first loss and first blown save Wednesday when he allowed one run on three hits while striking out four in a 3-2 loss to the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

McHugh came on in the middle of the seventh inning with men on base and allowed an inherited runner to score, the first that's scored off him this season. It's hard to be upset at McHugh, who has been sensational in first full season as a reliever. The right-hander's sporing a 1.09 ERA with 64 strikeouts to 10 walks over 49.2 innings.