Red Sox, Ex-Astros RHP Collin McHugh Agree to Contract amid Chris Sale Injury

The Boston Red Sox and pitcher Collin McHugh agreed to a one-year contract Thursday amid concerns about the status of ace Chris Sale.

The 32-year-old spent the last six seasons with the Houston Astros. It's unclear if the Red Sox signed him as a starter or to pitch in relief. McHugh has made only eight starts over the last two seasons and 85 appearances as a reliever. Overall, the righty has started 119 of his 210 career appearances.

Interim manager Ron Roenicke told reporters Sale has been diagnosed with a flexor strain in his left elbow. The MRI showed no UCL damage, and Sale is expected to wait a week until he resumes a throwing program. 

The lefty was already expected to begin the season on the injured list as he recovers from pneumonia. A timetable for his season debut has not been determined.

The Red Sox enter the 2020 season with a thin rotation due to Sale's absence and their trade of David Price to the Dodgers as part of the deal that sent Mookie Betts to Los Angeles. It's possible (perhaps even likely) that McHugh will begin the season as part of the rotation and move to the bullpen once Sale returns. He could also serve as an insurance policy if Sale's elbow injury flares up again and serve as a spot starter if other injuries happen on the staff.

McHugh, who excelled as a reliever in 2018 for Houston, performed well in the role last season after struggling as a starter. The Illinois native pitched exclusively as a starter from 2014-17 for the Astros, going 48-28 with a 3.70 ERA, 1.253 WHIP and 8.4 strikeouts per nine innings in 102 starts.