Whitley (oblique) is scheduled to start for Double-A Corpus Christi on Tuesday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic Houston reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley last pitched July 5, but exited that start early due to an oblique injury. Barring any extraneous circumstances, he'll make his return to game action Tuesday after a little over a month of missed action. In 21 innings for the Hooks this season, the top pitching prospect has a 4.29 ERA, a 1.05 WHIP and a 30:8 K:BB.

Whitley (oblique) said he's close to returning from injury, although the organization has not commented on a possible return date, Jeremy Carranco of the San Antonio Express-News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley said he hasn't felt any pain since he started a throwing program about a week after first sustaining the injury July 6. The Double-A Corpus Christi right-hander remains a top pitching prospect for the Astros and in MLB, but 2018 has not been kind to him. He missed the first 50 games for violating the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program before missing three weeks due to the injury. The delays will alter his arrival time in Houston, though a late-season callup in 2019 is still possible.

Whitley has a mild oblique strain and was placed on the 7-day disabled list at Double-A Corpus Christi, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

There is not a specific timetable for Whitley to return to game action, but McTaggart says the team is hoping he doesn't miss more than a couple weeks. The top pitching prospect in the minors, Whitley has logged a 4.29 ERA, 3.23 FIP, 1.05 WHIP and 30:8 K:BB in 21 innings (six starts) since returning from his 50-game suspension. He was slated to pitch in the Futures Game but that will not happen due to this injury. It's still possible Whitley could still reach the big leagues this year, but it seems unlikely now, given this injury.

Whitley left Thursday's start with left oblique discomfort, Chandler Rome of The Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Astros' top prospect lasted just 17 pitches before leaving his start with the issue. The organization has yet to determine whether Whitley will need a stint on the disabled list, and general manager Jeff Lunhow said that the club will have more information Friday. Whitley owns a 4.43 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP over 20.1 innings at Double-A Corpus Christi this season.

Whitley left Thursday's outing after 17 pitches due to an undisclosed injury, Len Hayward of The Corpus Christi Caller-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

According to Hayward, Whitley appeared to point to his lower back during an early mound visit before being removed from the game. Hayward adds that Whitley had a lat strain earlier in the season, but it's unclear whether Thursday's issue is related in any way. Regardless, Whitley's status will be one to monitor closely in the coming days as he's the top prospect in a loaded Astros organization.

Whitley will represent the Astros at the Futures Game on July 15, Hunter Atkins of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley, who will start Thursday for Double-A Corpus Christi, had a delayed start to the season after serving a 50-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's drug prevention and treatment program. Since his return to the Hooks, Whitley had three consecutive scoreless starts before getting tagged for 10 earned runs in his last two outings. He has yet to pitch more than 4.1 innings any of his five starts.

Whitley fanned seven hitters and allowed two hits and one walk across four scoreless frames for Double-A Corpus Christi on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

The Astros' top prospect has yet to allow a run while striking out 18 through 12 innings since reporting to the Texas League affiliate earlier this month after completing a 50-game suspension. Whitley's pedigree and stellar age-to-level production suggests he might already be a capable big-league starter, but the Astros' considerable rotation depth makes it most likely that he debuts with the big club out of the bullpen at some point in the second half. The delayed start to Whitley's season could actually enhance his opportunity to make an impact for the Astros, as his limited workload to date shouldn't subject him to the stricter innings caps 20-year-old pitchers would normally face down the stretch.

Whitley hurled four scoreless innings Friday, allowing just one hit without a walk and striking out five for Double-A Corpus Christi.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley made his season debut after serving a 50-game suspension for violating the league's drug policy. The 6-foot-7 right-hander, the organization's top prospect, obviously missed some development time, which will delay his estimated arrival in Houston.

Whitley is listed as Double-A Corpus Christi's probable starter for Friday's game against Double-A Frisco.

EDGE Analysis

He served his 50-game suspension and took an extra week to get ready after missing a short amount of time with a minor lat injury, but he's apparently ready to make his 2018 debut. Whitley is the best pitching prospect in baseball, so this start comes with a lot of hype, relative to most Double-A games. His suspension delayed the start to his season by a couple months, but that inactivity will allow him to pitch without serious restrictions for the remainder of the season. If he pitches up to his standards, he'll be ready for the majors sometime this summer.

Whitley threw three innings of a simulated game earlier this week and is scheduled to toss another one, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley, whose 50-game suspension lapsed May 29, is building up his arm strength after he suffered a latissimus strain a couple of weeks that delayed his throwing program. After the next simulated game, the organization will huddle up to determine if any further arm buildup is required before he's shipped off to Double-A Corpus Christi.