Rockies' Gabriel Hughes: Protected from Rule 5 Draft
Rotowire
The Rockies selected Hughes' contract from Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.
Hughes is a 24-year-old right-handed starter who got his first taste of Triple-A action last season. He struggled at that level, posting a 5.11 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 48:29 K:BB over 61.2 innings spanning 14 starts, but he showed more promise at Double-A prior to his promotion, recording a 3.07 ERA and 0.85 WHIP across nine starts. Hughes was the 10th overall pick in the 2022 First-Year Player Draft, and he underwent Tommy John surgery in July of 2023. The Rockies clearly still see him as an eventual part of their rotation given that they chose to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft.
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Rockies' Gabriel Hughes: Making Cactus League start Saturday
Rotowire
Hughes (elbow) is scheduled to make a two-inning start in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.
Hughes didn't make any minor-league appearances in the 2024 season after he underwent Tommy John surgery during the summer of 2023, but he returned to action in the Arizona Fall League, where he turned in an 8.31 ERA over 17.1 innings across six starts. Despite his poor results, the 23-year-old Hughes seemingly came out of the AFL without any issue, and he'll be facing no restrictions while he takes part in big-league camp as a non-roster invitee. Hughes isn't a serious candidate to break camp with the Rockies and will likely head to Double-A Hartford to begin the season.
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Rockies' Gabriel Hughes: Facing hitters again
Rotowire
Hughes (elbow) is scheduled to face hitters in live batting practice Tuesday at the Rockies' spring training facility in Arizona, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.
Hughes will throw approximately 25 pitches while mixing fastballs and changeups in what marks his first time facing hitters since he underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last July. The 22-year-old right-hander resides on Double-A Hartford's 60-day injured list and is unlikely to pitch in the minors this season, though he could be cleared for action in the Arizona Fall League.
