As we are now just a few days away from the first release of the Major League season, which arrives on Thursday with the start of the Yankees and Nationals, there have been a handful of players who have decided to opt out of this 2020 season. or other. However, as of Sunday, the Red Sox hadn’t made any of their players decide not to play. That changed late this afternoon when one of his most recent additions decided he was going to be left out this shortened season. That would be Collin McHugh.
Collin McHugh has chosen to exit the season.
– Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) July 19, 2020
McHugh had been struggling with arm injuries since last season and before the season was canceled he was expected to spend at least the first month and probably a little longer in IL. However, during the hiatus, it looks like things didn’t improve much and he would still have to start this season in IL. Apparently, with little sign of his arm starting to recover, McHugh decided instead of trying to prepare for the race with no guarantees that he would spend this strange time with his family.
Collin McHugh has chosen not to participate. According to Ron Roenicke, McHugh would probably spend time in IL anyway, his arm was not recovering from his elbow injury, and that was the case, McHugh felt it was better to be with his family.
– Chad Jennings (@ chadjennings22) July 19, 2020
First of all, it goes without saying that I can’t blame any player who doesn’t want to play this season. Obviously things have gotten easier for McHugh as he wasn’t even sure if he would pitch this year no matter when. Adding that factor to the simple fact that it is terrifying to play in a pandemic, all the power for McHugh and his family to decide to make this decision.
As for how this affects the Red Sox, it’s obviously a hit. Boston signed with McHugh in March, shortly before the pandemic stopped the season. Clearly, the Red Sox rotation needs all the help it can get, and the hope was that McHugh would be the low-cost firm that could provide a real edge, either as a traditional starter or even as a bulk arm after a first match. Boston recently made another addition to Zack Godley, but losing any of this group of starters is tough. Losing someone with a record like McHugh’s hurts so much more.
But, that’s the way it is this year and, as I said, there is nothing but respect for your decision on us here. McHugh never went on to pitch a game with the Red Sox, but he’s still part of the family, which his wife Ashley also acknowledged on Twitter today. Maybe that could point to a possible reunion for next season, but we’ll cross that bridge when it arrives. For now, we wish McHugh the best of luck in his recovery and the Red Sox the best of luck in fixing whatever they want to call this rotation.
I know our time with the Sox seems non-existent, but we are honored to be working with them since March. From chaim to the staff + coaches (whom collin loved) we felt right at home so fast. With no criticism from them, 2020 is just a super bad year for us.
– ashley buzzy mchugh (@arbuzzy) July 19, 2020
To update
As Alex Speier pointed out on Twitter, with the way player salaries were advanced this year, McHugh had already made his annual salary and had only incentives to play. That probably influences the decision-making process as well.
It’s worth noting here that McHugh already made his entire salary for the season with the preseason advance. Your only earnings would have come from reaching active days / entry incentives, probably unattainable. https://t.co/J3sjFqiNs8
– Alex Speier (@alexspeier) July 19, 2020
