McHugh may not be able to build up his arm in time to take the ball during the first rotation of the regular season, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports. "It's looking more and more likely that (McHugh) may be late for the season," said manager A.J. Hinch.

EDGE Analysis

Hinch is not making a definitive declaration, but having McHugh start the season on the 10-day disabled list will allow the right-hander to build up his inning and pitch count. He most recently pitched three innings Wednesday and is scheduled to throw early next week but would be limited to four innings and 60-to-65 pitches. That's a tight schedule to be ready for one of the first five games of the regular season. If McHugh opens on the DL, Joe Musgrove and Mike Fiers will make up the back end of the rotation.

McHugh allowed on run on two hits while striking out five over three innings in a minor league game, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

McHugh's on a tight schedule to be ready for the first rotation of the season. The right-hander's building his pitch count following a delay due to a dead arm period. He threw 41 pitches and will have another two opportunities to increase that. The prudent thing would have him begin the season on the 10-day disabled list and back-date the DL-assignment. He would miss the first turn, one start, and be ready to go for the rotation's second turn.

McHugh is behind other Astros' starters and may not get enough work in before the start of the regular season, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports. "We're cutting it really close," manager A.J. Hinch said. "I think we'll know more once he gets a couple more outings under his belt. But he's just behind. He doesn't have any problems anymore. It's a readiness question."

EDGE Analysis

McHugh was delayed early in camp with what was described as a dead arm, but it was more due to his rotator cuff. At any rate, he's thrown one minor league game and is scheduled to pitch another one Wednesday, but can't afford any setbacks. The Astros may just have him begin the season on the disabled list. Until McHugh's ready to pitch, Joe Musgrove and Mike Fiers can hold down the back end of the rotation.

McHugh will pitch in a minor league game Wednesday, Glenn Sattell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

McHugh pitched two innings Friday in what Sattell refers to as a simulated game while Jodie Wagner of the Houston Chronicle called it a minor league game. Whatever the terminology, McHugh came out of Friday's outing well and is on a schedule toward the regular season.

McHugh (arm) made his spring debut Friday, throwing two innings in a minor league game, Jodie Wagner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

At most, McHugh can get in three starts before the regular season, which seems like the bare minimum needed to build up his pitch count. If he does break camp with Houston, manager A.J. Hinch will likely use him as the fifth pitcher in the rotation. But let's see how the arm responds to Friday's outing before penciling him into the first rotation of the regular season.

McHugh (arm) threw a 28-pitch batting-practice session Tuesday, Hunter Atkins of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

McHugh, who was facing live hitters for the first time, said he used all four of his pitches, but didn't command well. That's to be expected at this stage. The next step for McHugh is to throw three innings in a minor league game this weekend, when he'll get to experience the up-and-downs of throwing an inning then resting. There's little time left in spring training, so any setbacks could jeopardize his availability for the start of the regular season.

McHugh (arm) had his batting-practice session moved to Tuesday, Hunter Atkins of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

McHugh had been scheduled to throw Monday, but will throw a simulated game instead. If his arm responds well to Tuesday's session, McHugh could pitch in a game Friday, whether that be a major-league or minor-league game. The imprecise phrase "dead arm" was used to describe the injury that forced a delay in McHugh's throwing schedule, but the root cause involves the rotator cuff in his shoulder -- in particular, it wasn't getting enough blood flow to strengthen ligaments. As such, he's been performing exercises designed to encourage blood flow to the area.

McHugh (arm) is aiming to make his Grapefruit League debut Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Astros will have McHugh throw a live batting practice session Tuesday as a final step in his recovery from dead arm, and if all goes well, the right-hander should be able to get a few outings in before the spring draws to a close. McHugh looks on track to open the season as the Astros' No. 3 starter.

McHugh (arm) is scheduled to face hitters in live batting practice Monday, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's another great step towards a full recovery for McHugh, who has been delayed throughout camp by a "dead arm." The right-hander says the session will help him determine whether he's able to begin pitching in Grapefruit League games and remains determined to be ready for his first start in the rotation. "I think we're on schedule, maybe a little bit ahead," he said. There's still plenty of camp left for McHugh to prepare for the season, where he's expected to be a central part of the Astros' rotation.

Manager A.J. Hinch remains confident McHugh (arm) will be ready for the Opening Day roster, and the club plans on ramping up his activity sometime in the next week, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

McHugh reported a case of dead arm around the time camp started, but he threw his first bullpen workout Monday and doesn't appear to be in jeopardy of missing time. Still, fantasy players should stay on top of his status before considering adding him to pitching staffs in deep mixed leagues.