The Atlanta Braves have inked versatile, 34-year-old right-handed reliever Collin McHugh to a two-year, $10 million deal to serve as a late-inning specialist.
Bullpen coach Drew French and Charlie Morton were high on McHugh with the Houston Astros and raved about him as a teammate and person, stating that he would fit right in on Atlanta's team, Braves President of Baseball Operations Alex Anthopoulos said in a recent MLB.com report.
"Collin is as good as it gets," Anthopoulos told MLB.com. "He's from Atlanta and really wanted to be here."
In his 34 appearances for the Tampa Bay Rays last season—25 of which lasted more than one inning—McHugh posted a 1.55 ERA and struck out 74 batters over 64 innings, the report said.
McHugh limited opponents to a .207 batting average and .252 on-base percentage with the Rays last season, the report said. The offseason losses of Chris Martin and Jesse Chavez left Luke Jackson as the Braves' only certainty to begin the season as a late-inning, right-handed option. The addition of McHugh provides another option and strengthens what MLB stated could be a formidable bullpen.
With the defending-champion Braves, McHugh joins a bullpen known as the Night Shift, a group that already includes relievers Will Smith, Tyler Matzek, A.J. Minter and Jackson; the report said. Alongside these locks, non-roster invitee Darren O'Day could clinch a spot as long he stays healthy; and right-handers Jacob Webb, Touki Toussaint and Jay Jackson are also candidates.
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