McHugh (elbow) visited with team doctors Friday and the Astros are expected to provide an update Saturday, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

The next step for McHugh depends on what the doctors saw in Friday's evaluation. It certainly looks like the right-hander will miss all of April. In the meantime, the Astros will roll with Joe Musgrove and Mike Fiers in the starting rotation. If McHugh's prognosis indicates he'll be out long term, the team is likely to consider trading for a proven major-league starter. The Astros were the most prominent team to pop up in trade rumors during the offseason for the White Sox's Jose Quintana.

McHugh exited his rehab start Thursday because of tightness in his elbow and bicep, the Houston Chronicle's Jake Kaplan reports.

EDGE Analysis

It seemed ominous when McHugh went out for the start of the second inning in his rehab start for Triple-A Fresno but then called for the trainer and exited. He is back in Houston on Friday visiting with team doctors. At this point an extended absence seems likely, so those in shallower formats without DL spots may want to cut bait. Mike Fiers will continue to occupy the fifth spot in the rotation in the meantime.

McHugh (arm) called for the trainer and exited Thursday's rehab start after just one inning, The Fresno Bee's Bryant-Jon Anteola reports.

EDGE Analysis

He gave up three runs on three hits and a walk while throwing 27 pitches in the first inning, but after going out to the mound to begin the second, he exited with the trainer before throwing a pitch. McHugh will need at least one more rehab start after failing to build up his pitch count Thursday, and if he has indeed aggravated the injury he may be out of the big-league rotation indefinitely.

McHugh (arm) will need to make at least one more rehab start before joining the Astros after lasting just one inning in Thursday's outing for Triple-A Fresno, the Houston Chronicle's Jake Kaplan reports.

EDGE Analysis

He allowed three runs on three hits and a walk and threw just 27 pitches, so he will need at least another start to build up his pitch count to the point that he would be able to slot into the Astros' rotation. This means Mike Fiers is likely safe for at least one more turn in the big-league rotation. If McHugh only needs one more rehab start, he would rejoin the Astros on April 18 against the Angels.

McHugh (arm) will make a rehab start Thursday with Triple-A Fresno, the Houston Chronicle's Jake Kaplan reports.

EDGE Analysis

McHugh hopes this will be the lone start he makes in the minors before returning to the big league rotation. The 29-year-old is currently on the 10-day disabled list and threw a 65-pitch simulated game Sunday. He did not appear in a spring training game until March 27, when he allowed three runs in 1.2 innings. The right-hander won 19 games in 2015, before going 13-10 with a 4.34 ERA last season.

McHugh (arm) said Sunday that he felt good following his 65-pitch simulated game that he threw a day earlier, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

McHugh has been recovering from a dead arm that plagued him for nearly all of spring training. The fact that he was able to get through a lengthy simulated game without any issues is a good sign that he could be nearing a return after his time on the 10-day disabled list expires. Assuming that McHugh's arm is able to return to full strength, the 29-year-old will have a good shot at regaining a spot in Houston's starting rotation.

McHugh (arm) was placed on the 10-day disabled list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander dealt with a dead arm all spring, and unfortunately it seems that his efforts to prepare himself for the season weren't good enough to avoid a DL stint. McHugh is scheduled for a simulated game Saturday, so it doesn't seem like his return to MLB action is too far away, but things should become clearer following Saturday's outing. In the meantime, Mike Fiers appears to be in line to pick up a start in his stead.

McHugh (arm) is scheduled to throw a simulated game Saturday in Florida, MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Astros have already indicated that McHugh will open the season on the 10-day DL after he was slowed by a case of dead arm in spring training, and the right-hander is still in the process of building up his pitch count. After being tagged for three runs and five hits over 1.2 innings Monday against the Cardinals, McHugh looks like he still has some issues to resolve, so he'll toss approximately 75 pitches Saturday before the Astros reassess his condition. If the simulated game goes well, McHugh is expected to head to a minor-league affiliate for one start next week before being activated. Mike Fiers looks most at risk of losing his rotation spot once McHugh is deemed ready to go.

McHugh (arm) allowed three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out two over 1.2 innings in Monday's game against the Cardinals, Brian McTaggart of the Astros' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

McHugh was making his first start in a Grapefruit League game after being delayed by the injury and needed 47 pitches to get his five outs. Three consecutive singles led to a first-inning run, then a walk and two extra-base hits chased him in the second. If Astros manager A.J. Hinch held out any hope of getting McHugh ready for the season's first rotation, that notion left town Monday. Now it looks like McHugh might need a couple of turns through the rotation to get ready.

McHugh is expected to make his Grapefruit League debut Monday and throw three or four innings, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

McHugh, slowed by a dead arm this spring, is still likely to begin the season with a short DL stint as he builds up his regular velocity, but Monday should provide a great sign of his progression. A firmer timetable may become clear depending on how this next week progresses, but it appears Joe Musgrove and Mike Fiers will both see Opening Week starts if McHugh misses extended time.