After Monday’s game, the Atlanta Braves reinstated reliever Collin McHugh from the 10-day injury list and optioned Danny Young to Gwinnett.
The return of McHugh to the Atlanta Braves bullpen adds one of the league’s best middle relievers to manager Brian Snitker’s toolbox and stability to the relief corps.
McHugh isn’t a flashy reliever with high-velocity pitches and spectacular strikeout numbers; he’s a dependable, some might say dominant, bridge to the big arms at the back of the pen.
Dominant?
In 26 of McHugh’s 58 appearances in 2022, he threw 30 no-hit innings, faced 96 batters, struck out 35, walked three, and one batter reached base after being hit by a pitch. Three of his 21 inherited runners scored, two on Sacrifice flies and one on the HBP.
He allowed one hit in fourteen appearances, throwing 14 2/3 innings, striking out 13 of 64 batters faced, walking three, and allowing one of five inherited runners to score.
Since McHugh went on the IL, Manager Brian Snitker leaned heavily on Jesse Chavez, who did yeoman's work until running into the powerful Astro lineup.
Atlanta Braves roster tidbits
This morning the club put outfielder Eli White on the paternity list and recalled recently added utility man Nick Solak from Gwinnett. The Braves claimed Solak off waivers from the White Sox on the 18th.
"I started to feel like we're all on the same schedule right now and we're gonna come back together at some point."
— Justin Felder (@Justin_FOX5) April 24, 2023
Raisel Iglesias threw live BP to @MoneyyyMikeee with @Collin_McHugh looking on -- a visual representation of the Braves getting healthier, seemingly all at once. pic.twitter.com/bmeiu3KoJn
All of the walking-wounded will get rehab starts at Gwinnett before returning.
That’s a Wrap
Chavez mesmerized batters with BP fastballs perfectly located to confuse and frustrate batters, but he gets exposed against stronger lineups. McHugh’s return allows Jesse to return to his best role.
McHugh and Iglesias are crucial to the success of the Atlanta Braves bullpen, who’ve struggled of late, albeit against one of the league's best lineups. Barring setbacks, the pen could look like the one the Braves expected in a couple of weeks.