Braves free agent pitcher announces his retirement

A member of the 2023 Atlanta Braves is hanging them up

Lindsay Crosby | Jan 22, 2024

The Atlanta Braves struck gold in a free agent signing a few years ago, and got a good return on their investment.

But now, after a twelve-year career, he's hanging it up.

The Braves signed Collin McHugh in March of 2022, fresh off of a season with the Tampa Bay Rays in which he pitched lights-out, and were rewarded for their faith.

Penning McHugh for two years and $10M, Atlanta saw the righty go 3-2 with a 2.60 ERA in 69.1 innings over 58 appearances. McHugh was frequently used as a emergency option, coming in when a starter got blown up early and giving the team multiple innings of relief to bridge the starter's abbreviated outing into the bullpen.

But after dealing with multiple IL stints for shoulder trouble in 2023, ones that made him miss almost 46 days combined, he's hanging it up.

McHugh posted on Instagram his goodbye message, expressing his gratitude to the six organizations he played for in his career.

Collin McHugh announces his retirement from baseball. #Braves pic.twitter.com/6SpKUBVfpn
— Maria Martin (@Ria_Martin) January 22, 2024

As McHugh discussed, he was a 18th round draft pick out of a NAIA school - not typically the profile of someone who makes the major leagues. And yet, he did, going 71-47 with a career 3.72 ERA in almost 1000 career innings.

Best wishes, Collin, and congratulations on your retirement.