McHugh’s first rehab start on Friday
2nd-round signee real fashion plate
Astros righthander Collin McHugh is scheduled for his first rehab start of the season on Friday. He is expected to throw two to three innings for Class AA Corpus Christi against Northwest Arkansas.
The outing will be his biggest step toward making his way back into the rotation after the All-Star break.
McHugh has not pitched in the majors this season because of an impingement in his pitching elbow.
“It’s turning into a normal five-day schedule now,” he said of his progress.
He indicated it is too soon to target a return date because he is unsure how many starts he will need to feel comfortable.
Second-round draft pick Joe Perez gave the Astros a preview of how he intends to spend the singing bonus they agreed to give him.
The 17-year-old dressed like a big time player at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday, when he received a $1.6 million bonus, according to mlb. com’s Jonathan Mayo.
With his talents shelved while he recovers from Tommy John surgery, Perez stood in impressive Contrapposto against the dugout rail. He wore a slim blazer and leather Ferragamo shoes that retail for between $400 and $600.
“I like classy stuff,” he said with a smile, wrapped by an immaculately manicured 5 o’clock shadow.
Perez, a two-way player who will give up pitching to focus on third base, hit .526 with 14 doubles and nine home runs as a senior at Archbishop McCarthy High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
The Astros have signed 26 of their 42 selections from the 2017 draft, including eight of 12 made within the top 10 rounds.
Perez had his elbow surgery after the draft. He said he will head to West Palm Beach, Fla., to continue his rehabilitation and expects to begin a hitting and throwing program in four months.
Perez took to fashion at 14.
“I was already looking at all those expensive brands and stuff,” he said.
Perez was influenced by peers, not his parents, Mike and Elena, who conceded he has grown up to be cooler than they ever were. They both spent Tuesday’s signing announcement giddily filming their son in the dugout on mobile devices. They appeared to smile every time he said he was living out a “dream” with the Astros.
Perez likes the idea of playing an everyday position, and his father is relieved by the decision.
“I’m a nervous wreck when he pitches,” Mike said.