Diamondbacks' Brandon Hughes: Sent to minor-league camp
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks reassigned Hughes to minor-league camp Thursday.
Hughes finished the 2023 season on the Cubs' 60-day injured list while he recovered from left knee surgery, but since he was making minor-league rehab appearances in September, he seemingly entered the offseason with a clean bill of health. After the Cubs non-tendered him in November, Hughes caught on with the Diamondbacks on a minor-league deal in free agency and turned in a 2.45 ERA while striking out five over 3.2 innings through his four Cactus League appearances. Though Hughes' solid spring wasn't enough to help him secure a spot in Arizona's Opening Day bullpen, he could be in the mix for a promotion to the big club if he continues to excel at Triple-A Reno early in the season.
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Diamondbacks' Brandon Hughes: Invited to D-backs camp
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Hughes signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Thursday and received an invitation to major-league spring training.
Hughes holds a 3.91 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in the majors since debuting in 2022, but he surrendered 11 earned runs in just 13.2 innings last season before undergoing season-ending knee surgery in June. The 28-year-old southpaw will now get a chance to redeem himself in the spring, and he could become an important part of Arizona's bullpen if he returns to his 2022 form.
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Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Slated for normal offseason
Rotowire
Hughes (knee) is expected to have a normal throwing progression this offseason, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Hughes was limited to just 17 appearances this season due to a knee issue that eventually required surgery, but he'll go into the offseason without any restrictions. Adbert Alzolay looks like the early favorite to open 2024 as the Cubs' closer, but Hughes should be used in high-leverage spots if he can stay healthy and return to his 2022 form.
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Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Begins rehab assignment
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Hughes (knee) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Hughes has been on the injured list since June while recovering from a procedure on his left knee. He began throwing off a mound Aug. 15 and started facing hitters again Monday, and he's now set for the final stage of his recovery process. Hughes will likely need to make multiple appearances in the minors before returning to Chicago's bullpen.
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Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Faces hitters Monday
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Hughes (knee) threw a live batting practice session Monday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
The Cubs relayed that Hughes' throwing session went well, but the club has yet to reveal whether the southpaw is ready to take the next step in his recovery from left knee surgery, which would be pitching in minor-league rehab games. Hughes had the knee procedure in June and will likely require several outings in the minors to get fully ramped up before the Cubs are comfortable adding him back to their bullpen.
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Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Throwing bullpen sessions
Rotowire
Hughes (knee) threw a successful bullpen session Monday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Hughes is scheduled for another mound workout later this week. He could be an option again for the Cubs' bullpen sometime in September if he is able to avoid setbacks in his recovery from June knee surgery.
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Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Playing catch again
Rotowire
The Cubs announced Sunday that Hughes (knee) has resumed playing catch, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Hughes is in the early phase of his throwing program as he works his way back from the left knee alignment surgery he underwent in late June. Since he opted for a debridement procedure rather than a reconstructive one, Hughes will have a chance to pitch again in 2023, though his return from the 60-day injured list shouldn't be viewed as imminent. A target date for when Hughes might be activated likely won't emerge until he's facing hitters again.
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Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Undergoes surgery
Rotowire
Hughes underwent surgical debridement of his left knee Wednesday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.
Hughes was originally slated for season-ending knee alignment surgery, but the debridement will significantly reduce his recovery time. Hughes will begin his rehab process right away, though it is still unknown whether or not he'll be able to return before the end of the season.
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Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Moves to 60-day IL
Rotowire
The Cubs transferred Hughes (knee) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
With Hughes set to undergo season-ending knee alignment surgery in the next few days, seeing him land on the 60-day IL is hardly a surprise. His transfer makes room on the 40-man roster for Jared Young to be selected from Triple-A Iowa.
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Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Set to play catch
Rotowire
Hughes (knee) will play catch Friday, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.
Hughes made his third trip to the injured list earlier this week when he went down with left knee inflammation. It's a good sign that he's already able to throw, though, perhaps making it possible that he'll require only a minimum IL stay.
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Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Back on IL with knee issue
Rotowire
Hughes was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, retroactive to June 12, with left knee inflammation, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
This is already the third IL stint of the year for Hughes, and they have all been related to left knee issues. He's struggled to a 7.24 ERA in 17 appearances for the Cubs when healthy.
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Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Activated from injured list
Rotowire
Hughes (knee) was activated Friday from the 15-day injured list, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
After recovering from another bout of left knee inflammation, Hughes will return to the Cubs' bullpen Friday night against the Twins. He's been limited to five appearances this year.
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Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Another bullpen Wednesday
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Hughes (knee) will throw another bullpen session Wednesday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Hughes returned to the injured list at the end of April with left knee inflammation after missing the first two weeks of the 2023 regular season with the very same issue. He's trending in the right direction now, but the Cubs figure to play this a bit more carefully than they did the first time around.
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Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Playing catch
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Hughes (knee) will play catch Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Hughes went back on the injured list a second time last weekend with a nagging knee issue but is ready to start ramping things back up again. Given his previous setback, the Cubs figure to proceed more cautiously with the southpaw this time around.
Hughes (knee) is set to make his second rehab appearance with Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Hughes will get in another tune-up outing after he struck out one over a scoreless inning Saturday for Iowa while scattering two hits and a walk. If Hughes' left knee checks out fine following his upcoming appearance Tuesday, he could be cleared to return from the 15-day injured list ahead of this weekend's series in Los Angeles.
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Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Set for rehab assignment
Rotowire
Hughes (knee) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Saturday. Joey Pollizze of MLB.com reports.
Hughes first started experiencing soreness in his left knee a couple weeks ago but has been throwing without issue for a while now. He should be ready to rejoin the Cubs' bullpen after a couple rehab appearances and figures to work his way back into high-leverage spots.
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Cubs' Brandon Hughes: To throw again Wednesday
Rotowire
Hughes (knee) is scheduled to throw again in a simulated setting Wednesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Hughes made it through a round of live batting practice Sunday without issue and is ready take another step in his recovery from left knee inflammation. It sounds like he could join the Cubs' bullpen sometime next week if all continues to go smoothly. The left-hander might be in line for some save opportunities as the 2023 season rolls along.
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Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Live batting practice scheduled
Rotowire
Hughes (knee) will throw live batting practice Sunday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.
Hughes missed the start of the season due to left knee inflammation, but the issue doesn't seem likely to cost him too much time. He'll be eligible to return April 11.
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Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Completes bullpen session
Rotowire
Hughes (knee) tossed a bullpen session Monday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Hughes won't be part of the pitching schedule in Monday's Cactus League game against the White Sox and may not take the mound for Tuesday's spring finale either, clouding his status for Opening Day. The 27-year-old southpaw turned in a 3.12 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 68:21 K:BB while converting eight saves over 57.2 innings as a rookie last season, and though he's expected to remain part of the Cubs' late-inning equation in 2023, Hughes may not manager David Ross' first choice to close games.
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Cubs' Brandon Hughes: Throws off mound
Rotowire
Hughes (knee) threw off a mound Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Hughes has dealt with left knee inflammation throughout spring, which may wind up sending him to the injured list. Saturday's session was a sign of progress, but it remains unclear if he'll have time to finish his build-up process before Opening Day.
