McHugh (elbow impingement) played catch Friday out to 45 feet, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports. This was the first time McHugh had played catch since being diagnosed with an elbow injury in early April.
Manager A.J. Hinch described McHugh's throwing session as part of "the infancy stage of a very long process." The plan will have McHugh throw every other day for the next week with future plans determined by how the pitcher's arm and body respond to the activity. Given the right-hander will need what amounts to a spring training-like ramp-up when McHugh eventually pitches off a mound, his return to the Astros' rotation could push out to June.