JUNE 16, 2021 • FANDUEL.COM
Rays News: Tampa Bay Gets Bad News on Collin McHugh Injury Update After opting out of the pandemic-shortened 2020 MLB season, Collin McHugh has found a nice home with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021. He's enjoyi...
Shifts to COVID IL The Rays placed McHugh on the COVID-19-related injured list Wednesday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.
Impact McHugh will face an uncertain timeline to return from the IL; his absence could last just one or two days if he's merely experience side effects of a vaccine shot, or he could be sidelined for more than a week if he's tested positive for the virus. The Rays recalled Chris Mazza from Triple-A Durham to provide a fresh arm out of the bullpen while McHugh is deactivated. After a rough April, McHugh has been one of the Rays' top relievers over the past month and a half, submitting a 0.50 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 31:6 K:BB in 18 innings over his last 11 appearances.
JUNE 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Excelling with multi-inning work McHugh, who recorded five strikeouts while allowing just one hit over two scoreless innings in a win over the Orioles on Saturday, now has three straight multi-inning appearances d...
Impact The long-time starter appears to have truly found his niche in manager Kevin Cash's eclectic relief corps, with McHugh's season ERA now sitting at an impressive 2.70 across 23.1 innings. He also boasts a 37.1 percent strikeout rate that qualifies as a career high, and his 5.1 K-BB% is one of the best in MLB. While his usage has only netted one win and three holds thus far, McHugh's ability to miss bats at an elite clip and frequent deployment should lead to more decisions and hold opportunities as the season unfolds.
JUNE 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Orioles take 3-game slide into matchup with Rays
Baltimore is looking to snap its three-game losing streak with a win over Tampa BayJUNE 13, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rays hand Orioles record-setting 14th road loss in row, 5-4
Joey Wendle had an RBI double during a three-run first inning and the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays handed the Baltimore Orioles their record-setting 14th consecutive road loss, 5...JUNE 12, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thriving in multiple roles McHugh, who fired two scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and a walk while recording five strikeouts in a loss to the Yankees on Wednesday, has an 0.69 ERA and 15.9...
Impact A conventional starter for most of his career, McHugh has mostly shifted to an opener/long-relief role with considerable success during his first season in Tampa Bay. The veteran right-hander has coaxed his ERA from an unsightly 10.13 to 3.44 during his aforementioned stretch of dominance and has displayed considerable versatility in terms of the different roles he's been able to take on effectively.
JUNE 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Records two outs as opener McHugh gave up two hits across two-thirds of an inning Sunday against the Phillies. He didn't factor into the decision.
Impact 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.
MAY 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Rays beat Phillies 6-2 for 15th win in last 16 games
Mike Zunino and Brett Phillips homered as the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays won for the 15th time in 16 games, 6-2 over the Philadelphia PhilliesMAY 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Working as opener Sunday 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.
Impact 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.
MAY 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Eflin, Phillies to take on McHugh, Rays
The Rays will send Collin McHugh to the mound Sunday and the Phillies plan to give Zach Eflin the startMAY 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Meadows has 3 RBIs, surging Rays beat Phillies 5-3
Austin Meadows drove in his third run on a tiebreaking RBI infield single during a two-run eighth inning and the Tampa Bay Rays won for the 14th time in 15 games, 5-3 over the Phil...MAY 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Impresses in long relief again McHugh fired two perfect innings during which he recorded three strikeouts in a win over the Orioles on Tuesday.
Impact 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.
MAY 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Margot, Adames, Lowe lead Rays over Mets 7-1 for sweep
Manuel Margot, Willy Adames and Brandon Lowe homered off Marcus Stroman, leading the Tampa Bay Rays over the New York Mets 7-1for a three-game sweepMAY 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tosses two shutout innings 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.
Impact 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.
MAY 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Serving as opener McHugh will serve as the Rays' opener for Wednesday's game against the Yankees, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.
Impact 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.
MAY 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Cole expected to start for the Yankees against Rays
The Yankees will start Gerrit Cole on Wednesday and the Rays are expected to counter with Collin McHughMAY 12, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Montgomery goes 6 strong innings, Yankees beat Rays 3-1
Jordan Montgomery pitched six strong innings, Aaron Judge and Gary Sánchez homered, and the New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1MAY 12, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Notes: McHugh's versatility; Yarbrough to IL Things might be starting to click for Collin McHugh. The veteran had the best outing of his Rays tenure on Thursday night, pitching two perf...
MAY 8, 2021 • MLB.COM
Opens in win 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.
Impact 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 his stamina back up 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.
MAY 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Rays score 7 runs in 8th to complete 4-game sweep of Angels
Mike Zunino homered, Brett Phillips had two hits during a seven-run eighth inning and the Tampa Bay Rays rallied for an 8-3 victory over the Los Angeles AngelsMAY 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Gets look as opener 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.
Impact 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.
MAY 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Meadows hits 2 HRs, Rays beat sloppy Angels 8-3
Austin Meadows hit two homers and drove in a career-high five runs, and the Tampa Bay Rays capitalized on the Los Angeles Angels’ fielding ineptitude for an 8-3 victoryMAY 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Back from injured list McHugh (back) was activated from the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Impact 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.
MAY 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Cobb expected to start as Angels host the Rays
The Rays will start Shane McClanahan on Tuesday while the Angels are expected to counter with Alex CobbMAY 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Joining team for road trip 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.
Impact 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.
MAY 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
