Up Down In and Out

Up:

     Joe Musgrove, SP: Mar 26 – 4:05 PM (Rotoworld) — Joe Musgrove held the Nationals to one run over five innings in the Astros’ 5-1 victory today.

Musgrove struck out four and walked one while improving to 3-0 this spring. He’ll fill in for Collin McHugh in the rotation early next month, and while that might be a short stay, there should be plenty of opportunities for him as the season goes on.

     Evan Gattis, C, DH, OF: April 17 – Evan Gattis seems to be getting a fair bit of playing time, even though he hasn’t started a game yet in the Astros crowded OF. He’s started 5 of 13 games at C and added 2 more at DH to give Carlos Beltran a break.

     Marwin Gonzalez, 1B, OF, 3B: April 17 – Marwin Gonzalez may be seeing a slight increase in value, as he’s started 7 of the team’s 13 games – and at three different positions. He’s started 3 at 1B, 3 in LF and 1 at 3B. And if Alex Bregman has to cover for Carlos Correa at SS for any length of time during Correa’s injury, Gonzalez could see more time replacing Bregman at 3B.

Down:

     Carlos Correa, SS: Apr 17 – 4:23 PM (Rotoworld) — Carlos Correa (hand) has missed the last few Astros’ games after being hit in the right hand by a pitch in the game of Saturday, April 15. He had said there was a “99 percent chance” he’d play Monday but he still had some discomfort while swinging the bat pre-game. Alex Bregman has shifted over to shortstop, while Marwin Gonzalez will cover third base.

     Apr 15 – 9:27 PM (Rotoworld) — Carlos Correa left Saturday’s game against the Athletics with a hand contusion.

He exited after taking a pitch off his hand in the ninth inning. Correa gave fantasy owners a scare for a minute but his X-rays came back negative and it looks like he’s just dealing with a bruise. Alex Bregman will likely fill in at SS if Correa misses any time.

     Josh Reddick, OF: April 17 – It’s difficult to say if Reddick has moved up or down in value – but his role has certainly changed. Initially, it looked like he would bat sixth and he did so for the first 2 games. Then he was moved down the batting order, jumping from seventh to eighth to ninth. For 3 of the past 4 games, however, he’s been assigned to the #2 spot in the batting order – all against RHPs. Currently, then, it seems that he may be working his way into that slot against RHPs, while Alex Bregman occupies it for LHPs and moved to the #6 spot for RHPs.

     Alex Bregman, 3B: April 17 – Like Josh Reddick, it’s hard to say if Alex Bregman has experienced a boost in value or a decline in value – or perhaps just a change in roles. He batted second for 8 of the team’s first 9 games but has only been in that slot for 1 of the past 4 games – and that was only when a LHP started for the opposing side. When a RHP starts against the Astros, it looks like Bregman may bat from the #6 slot.

     Jake Marisnick, OF: April17 – To date, Jake Marisnick has only started 4 games, with all of them coming in CF. When he plays, George Springer moves to RF, displacing Josh Reddick.

In:

No one.

Out:

     Collin McHugh, SP: Apr 8 – 1:54 PM (Rotoworld) — Collin McHugh has been shut down for the next six weeks after being diagnosed with a posterior impingement of his right elbow.

McHugh had to leave his minor league rehab start on Thursday, April 6, due to tightness in his elbow and now we know the real issue. He did undergo an MRI that showed his UCL is intact, which is at least a bit of good news. It would be a surprise to see him on a big league mound before June. Mike Fiers should continue to occupy a spot in the Astros’ rotation in the meantime.

     Apr 7 – 5:11 PM (Rotoworld) — Collin McHugh (arm) exited his rehab start yesterday with tightness in his right elbow and biceps.

McHugh has returned to Houston to be examined by team doctors and he’ll surely undergo an MRI. It’s potentially a big setback for a guy who has dealt with arm issues since the beginning of spring training (although the previous problems were described as a “dead arm” phase). If McHugh has to miss significant time, it means that Joe Musgrove’s and Mike Fiers’ rotation spots should be safe for a while.

     Apr 6 – 11:32 PM (Rotoworld) — Collin McHugh (arm) lasted just one inning in today’s rehab start for Triple-A Fresno, allowing three runs, three hits and one walk versus Reno.

McHugh called a trainer out to the mound after throwing a few warmup pitches in the second inning. This would indicate he suffered some sort of setback. McHugh threw just 26 pitches before exiting.

     Apr 2 – 1:11 PM (Rotoworld) — Astros placed RHP Collin McHugh on the 10-day disabled list with right arm fatigue.

McHugh dealt with a “dead arm” this spring and is expected to need a minor league start or two before being activated. Joe Musgrove is filling in for him.

Meanwhile, he said that his simulated game on Saturday, April 1, went well and that he remains on track with his rehab schedule.

The right-hander threw 65 pitches during the game and said afterwards that he’s still feeling good. He’s expected to need at least a couple of minor league rehab starts before he’s ready to join the Astros’ rotation some time in mid-April.

     Mar 30 – 5:49 PM (MLB.com /Rotoworld) — Collin McHugh (arm) will open the season on the 10-day disabled list.

The rest of the team already left for Houston but McHugh will stay behind and pitch a simulated game on Saturday, April 1. He’s expected to throw 75 pitches or five innings – whichever comes first. After that, McHugh will likely make one minor league rehab start before joining the Astros’ rotation sometime in mid-April.

     Mar 27 – 10:03 PM (Rotoworld) — Collin McHugh surrendered three runs over just 1 2/3 innings versus the Cardinals in his Grapefruit League debut today.

He coughed up five hits and walked a batter, getting chased before he could complete the second frame. McHugh has dealt with a “dead arm” this spring and is slated to start the season on the disabled list. Based on Monday’s performance, it certainly looks like he needs some time.

     Mar 24 – 11:21 AM (Rotoworld) — Astros manager A.J. Hinch said Friday that it’s looking more and more likely that Collin McHugh (arm) will get a late start to the season.

McHugh has been battling through a “dead arm” phase and hasn’t made any Grapefruit League appearances this spring. He pitched in a minor league game on Wednesday, March 22, and is set to throw in another one on Monday, March 27, so the Astros would be able to backdate a disabled list stint. The right-hander should be ready to rejoin the rotation sometime in April.

     Mar 19 – 12:50 PM (Houston Chronicle/Rotoworld) — Collin McHugh (arm) will make another start in a minor league game on Wednesday, March 22.

McHugh threw two innings against minor leaguers last Friday. March17, and will throw three innings on Wednesday. Battling through a “dead arm” phase, the righty is hoping to be ready to pitch for the Astros by the fourth game of the season.

“I think we’ll know more once he gets to the four-inning mark,” manager A.J. Hinch said on Sunday. “Right now he’s just in the two to three-inning mark. These next couple of starts will be important. But we’ll know more in the next five to 10 days.”

     Mar 6 – 12:26 PM (Rotoworld) — Collin McHugh (arm) threw a successful bullpen session in Astros camp.

McHugh made 25 pitches at 65-70 percent effort and reported feeling good. It was his first time throwing off a mound since his “dead arm” phase began in late February. The right-hander could be ready for his Grapefruit League debut in around 10 days. And if he avoids setbacks, he should be ready for the regular season.

     Feb 27 – 12:13 PM (Rotoworld) — Collin McHugh said he’s going through a “general dead arm” phase.

McHugh has not yet faced live hitters but he told reporters Monday that he’s confident he’ll be ready for the beginning of the 2017 regular season.