McHugh will throw a showcase session for multiple teams on Jan. 16, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Peak McHugh would be a useful addition to any team's pitching staff, as he recorded a 3.51 ERA over a five-year period from 2014 to 2018. Heading into his age-34 campaign, however, it's not clear whether or not he can still approach that level. He slumped to a 4.70 ERA in 2019 while battling injuries. His elbow issues carried forward into 2020, and he eventually opted out of the season without appearing in a game. His past success keeps him as at least an interesting lottery ticket for both MLB and fantasy teams, but he comes with more than his fair share of question marks.

McHugh (elbow) opted out of the 2020 season since his recovery hasn't progressed like he had hoped, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 33-year-old has been working his way back from an elbow injury and was already ruled out for the start of the season, but he was apparently expected to be on the injured list for a significant portion of the shortened campaign. As a result, McHugh decided his time would be better spent at home with his family amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

McHugh (elbow) will not be ready for Opening Day, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The report does not cite anyone in management confirming McHugh's status, but it was borne from a discussion with Boston general manager Chaim Bloom, who addressed the unsettled nature of the rotation. A week ago, manager Ron Roenicke said McHugh needs to progress faster to make the Opening Day roster, so it's natural to assume that the right-hander, who still hasn't pitched in a game-like environment, will not be part of the 30-man roster July 24.

Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke said McHugh (elbow) needs "to start progressing a lot faster" to be ready for the Opening Day roster, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

McHugh has thrown a few bullpens and was scheduled to throw another one Friday, but the right-hander hasn't thrown live batting practice, an activity Roenicke said is needed for him to be on the active roster July 24. The manager isn't even ready to commit to McHugh as a starter. "Not yet because we're not at that point where he feels comfortable with really getting after it in his bullpen sessions," Roenicke said. "Once he gets to where he feels his arm's there - and he's where he needs to be - then those discussions will happen. But he's not at that point yet." There are a few uncertain elements in Boston's starting rotation and McHugh is just one of the stories. Eduardo Rodriguez (illness) has not yet reported to camp, and there has been no announcement as to whom will be the No. 4 and 5 starters.

Manager Ron Roenicke said McHugh (elbow) is scheduled to throw at least "a couple more bullpens," Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

Roenicke added that McHugh, who is working his way back from a flexor strain, is not yet ready for game action. It's still unclear whether he'll be ready for the start of the regular season at this point.

McHugh (elbow) threw a side session Saturday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Red Sox are unsure if McHugh will be ready to start the regular season due to a flexor strain. "Talking to [pitching coach] Dave Bush about him, he let it go like every few pitches," manager Ron Roenicke said. "But he didn't every pitch. He looked good. I thought the ball was coming out nice and clean, I thought the effort level was good." With both the pitcher and coaches pleased with how the session went, McHugh will be monitored Sunday to see how the elbow responds.

Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke said that McHugh (elbow) will be ready to throw bullpen sessions when the team opens "summer camp" Friday, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

McHugh hasn't yet had the chance to throw in front of the Red Sox staff after not signing with the organization until early March before MLB suspended its season less than two weeks later. He's been slow to recover from the tenex procedure he required in his right elbow late in 2019, as he didn't even initiate a throwing program until early April. Roenicke indicated that the Red Sox will see how he looks during bullpen sessions before gauging his availability for Opening Day and determining whether he's a better fit in the rotation or in the bullpen.

Chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said Wednesday that McHugh (elbow) is "doing well" and it's a possibility he's ready for the start of the shortened season, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 33-year-old hadn't begun his throwing program when MLB suspended spring training he March, but he ended up starting the throwing program in April. Bloom avoided committing to an official timetable, but more information should be available once players are cleared to resume workouts next week. McHugh made 35 appearances (eight starts) for Houston in 2019 and posted a 4.70 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 82:30 K:BB over 74.2 innings, and it remains to be seen what role he fills for the Red Sox, especially given the extenuating circumstances of the 2020 season.

McHugh (elbow) said Wednesday that he's about a month into his throwing program and has been pleased with the progress he's made thus far, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

After signing with Boston in early March, McHugh never began his throwing program before spring training was suspended while he continued to recover from a tenex procedure to address a right elbow injury he suffered last year. McHugh has since been able to kick off his rehab program at his home in Atlanta, and it sounds like he'll be ready to face hitters by the time teams are cleared to resume training. Assuming the right-hander requires nothing more than the typical buildup period that Boston's other starting candidates will face once workouts resume, he should have a good chance at cracking the Opening Day rotation. The Red Sox haven't completely ruled out using McHugh out of the bullpen, however.

McHugh (elbow) continues to build arm strength in advance of an eventual throwing program, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Red Sox pitching coach Dave Bush hopped on a conference call with interim manager Ron Roenicke and reporters to discuss McHugh's status. "I don't think anything has changed other than he still has to build up strength, he still has a long throwing program to go through to get ready to pitch in a big-league game," said Bush. The Red Sox weren't certain about a timeline for McHugh before they left spring training and still are unsure, although the delay caused by the coronavirus pandemic could put the right-hander in position to pitch by the time baseball eventually returns.