Pressly, Peacock progressing; McHugh not
Astros manager A.J. Hinch was encouraged Tuesday with the injury rehabilitation progress shown by pitchers Ryan Pressly and Brad Peacock but downbeat about the status of righthander Collin McHugh, who is not throwing as he continues to deal with a sore right elbow.
Pressly, who is recovering from arthroscopic surgery Aug. 23 on his right knee, threw 20 pitches to hitters, took fielding practice before Tuesday’s game and showed progress, Hinch said.
“We’ll see how he feels (Wednesday) before the next step. But it was a nice step in the right direction for getting him back in the game, which could be as soon as the next thing we give him,” Hinch said.
Peacock, who went on the injured list Aug. 28 and has been diagnosed with nerve issues in his neck that he said this week have been resolved, threw a bullpen session on the field mound Monday and will throw live batting practice Thursday, the Astros’ next off day.
“He’s starting to get a little more aggressive with his throwing,” Hinch said. “We’ll establish whether or not he can get into a game (after Thursday).”
News on McHugh, by contrast, is “not encouraging,” the manager said.
“He is still feeling some pain when he throws, so he’s not going to throw right now,” Hinch said. “We’re going to shut down his throwing program for the time being and see if we can work the soreness out of him.”
McHugh went on the injured list Aug. 31 with elbow pain after missing 34 games earlier this season.