McHugh gave up two hits across two-thirds of an inning Sunday against the Phillies. He didn't factor into the decision.

EDGE Analysis

McHugh only tossed 14 pitches before being lifted and while he tossed 10 of those deliveries for strikes, he couldn't even complete an inning before making way to Josh Fleming. McHugh has made three starts in 12 appearances this season and owns a 3.86 ERA. He's expected to continue his role as a swingman going forward.

McHugh is scheduled to serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Sunday's game against the Phillies, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

McHugh has maxed out at three innings and 45 pitches this season, so that should represent the upper bounds of his workload Sunday before he gives way to Josh Fleming, who is expected to serve as a bulk reliever for Tampa Bay. After a rocky April, McHugh has developed into a trusted multi-inning weapon for the Rays over the past month. Through seven outings in May spanning 10.1 frames, McHugh has posted an 0.87 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 18:5 K:BB.

McHugh fired two perfect innings during which he recorded three strikeouts in a win over the Orioles on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

McHugh has carved out quite the effective niche as manager Kevin Cash's ace in the hole for multi-inning work, as the veteran right-hander now has a trio of scoreless multi-inning efforts on his ledger in May. The current month is in stark contrast to McHugh's four-appearance April, when he surrendered eight runs (six earned) on 12 hits and a walk over 5.1 innings before suffering a back injury that put him on the shelf.

McHugh did not allow a hit, but walked a batter and struck out two over two innings in a no-decision against the Yankees on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

McHugh was deployed as an opener Wednesday after appearing out of the bullpen in his first four outings this year. He faced the minimum six hitters after he walked Luke Voit in the second but got Aaron Hicks to ground into an inning-ending 3-5-3 double play. The 34-year-old has had a pair of shaky outings but has otherwise been pretty reliant in multi-inning scenarios. His 6.75 ERA and 1.50 WHIP isn't a pretty sight but he does own a respectable 12:2 K:BB over 9.1 innings.

McHugh will serve as the Rays' opener for Wednesday's game against the Yankees, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

McHugh pitched out of the bullpen in his first four outings of 2021, but he'll now serve as an opener for a second straight appearance. The right-hander worked as an opener Thursday and struck out five in two perfect innings. Left-hander Ryan Yarbrough is slated to serve as Wednesday's primary pitcher.

McHugh fanned five of the six batters he faced over two innings in Thursday's victory over the Angels. He didn't factor into the decision.

EDGE Analysis

The righty was sharp Thursday in his first appearance in three weeks, retiring every batter he faced. The 33-year-old threw 17 of his 23 pitches for strikes and now will look to build back up his stamina in order to earn a longer leash from conservative manager, Kevin Cash. McHugh will more than likely open for two to three innings in his next appearance.

Manager Kevin Cash said McHugh would serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Thursday's series finale against the Angels, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

EDGE Analysis

Before he was activated from the injured list earlier this week after missing time with a lower-back strain, McHugh had been building up for a multi-inning relief role. As such, he should be capable of working at least two frames Thursday before giving way to primary pitcher Josh Fleming, who had served as a traditional starter in three of his prior four appearances.

McHugh (back) was activated from the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 33-year-old spent the past few weeks on the shelf with a lower-back strain but will rejoin the active roster Tuesday. McHugh surrendered six runs through his first 5.1 innings of the season before the injury, and he'll attempt to get on track now that he's healthy.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said that McHugh (back) would travel with the team for its seven-game road trip that begins Monday, Jordan Horrobin of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cash wasn't willing to reveal a target date for when McHugh might be activated from the 10-day injured list, but the skipper noted the right-hander is "definitely going in the right direction." Considering McHugh tossed a two-inning simulated game Sunday, the Rays would most likely want to give him at least Monday and Tuesday off for rest before his activation is considered.

McHugh (back) is set to throw again at the alternate training site Thursday and could be activated for the start of the Rays' next road trip Monday, the Associated Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran appears to be making solid progress throughout his recovery timeline, as he was able to throw off a mound both Friday and Sunday without setbacks. If McHugh continues on the same trajectory, it appears he'll have a chance to return to his long-relief role having spent just a handful of days over the minimum on the injured list.