Hinch wants at least one rehab start for Keuchel
TORONTO — Manager A.J. Hinch said he needs to see more out of Dallas Keuchel (neck) and Collin McHugh (elbow) before knowing how he will restructure the pitching staff upon their potential returns after the All-Star break.
“I’m cautiously optimistic, as opposed to, just, dreaming,” Hinch said Sunday. “We need these guys to be on the field. Until they’re pitching, I don’t factor anything in.
“We’ve got a lot of games before those guys factor in as participants. You may sense a little bit of my cautiousness. There’s a lot that has to happen first. I’m not going to map that out until they’re actually active.”
On Sunday, Keuchel said he did not experience pain after throwing more than 30 pitches in his first bullpen since aggravating a pinched neck nerve in early June.
Hinch said Keuchel will have to throw at least one and maybe two rehab starts before returning to the majors.
McHugh might have to prove he can pitch more effectively than Brad Peacock, who has filled in well since being moved into the rotation May 22. McHugh’s velocity on his cutter has not bounced back.
He will pitch Monday in a rehab start for Class AA Corpus Christi.
Hinch said a healthy rotation likely would move Joe Musgrove to the bullpen, so long as Musgrove pitches well in his upcoming outings.
Hinch was less sure if Francis Martes would benefit from relief appearance against big league hitters or continuing to get stretched out as a starter in the minors.
Musgrove (4-7, 6.04 ERA) pitched four solid innings before a troublesome fifth ousted him from his start against the Braves on July 5. Martes (2-0, 5.18), the Astros’ top pitching prospect, has been hit hard in 231⁄3 innings.
Hinch must consider the development of the two young arms, their limited innings and the depth necessary to ensure the American League’s best team at the All-Star break finishes the season in the same position.
The decision is complicated at this time of year. The minor league schedule finishes in six weeks, a period that might be too short to develop quality experience for a starter who might pitch only six or seven times.
Although Hinch likes the idea of Martes feeling the pressure inside major league stadiums, he also emphasized the importance of young starters figuring out a routine.
“For him, in particular, there’s a preparation to not knowing when you’re going to pitch,” Hinch said. “If you’re in the rotation, it’s one thing. If you’re in the bullpen, it’s a whole new thing for him. There is a physical part that helps young pitchers being on a routine and doing something down in the minor leagues.
“There’s also a mental development that goes on by having to face Josh Donaldson or Russell Martin and Justin Smoak, these guys here that you can’t get in the minor leagues. That’s the tug and pull on what’s important for those guys.”
Hinch would not prioritize the goals of the major league club over the individual development of Musgrove or Martes.
But, when asked, he said: “We need to win every game we can.”
Starting pitchers set for 2 series
Before Sunday’s finale against the Blue Jays, Astros manager A.J. Hinch announced who will start at home against the Twins and Mariners after the All-Star break.
Charlie Morton, Joe Musgrove and Mike Fiers will pitch the weekend series against the Twins. Lance McCullers Jr. and Brad Peacock will face the Mariners on Monday and Tuesday, which circles back to Morton to finish the three-game set before a day off Thursday.
The Astros expect to get Dallas Keuchel (neck) and Collin McHugh (elbow) after the All-Star break, but the team does not have a timetable for their returns.