Collin McHugh (arm) will likely open year on Houston's disabled list

Houston Astros pitcher Collin McHugh (arm) is most likely going to get a late start to the season, manager A.J. Hinch said Friday.

What It Means:

McHugh has yet to make a Grapefruit League appearance this spring due to a "dead arm" phase, but he did pitch in a minor league game Wednesday and is scheduled for another on Monday. Assuming he opens the year on the disabled list, look for the 29-year-old right-hander to rejoin the rotation sometime in April.

As of now, numberFire's metrics project McHugh to throw a 3.86 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 21.4 strikeout percentage across 186 1/3 innings in 2017.