Manager Joe Espada said Sunday that Whitley (finger) has reduced inflammation but won't throw for the next week, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander was scratched from his bullpen session Saturday due to the right middle finger injury, and he'll be shut down for a week as a result. Whitley will need to ramp things back up after the shutdown period, so he likely won't be game-ready until at least mid-March.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Saturday that Whitley's right middle finger injury "doesn't look like it's something significant," Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley wasn't able to throw a scheduled bullpen session Saturday because of soreness in the finger. He's been sent for testing, but the expectation seems to be that this won't be a long-term absence. Injuries are unfortunately nothing new for Whitley, who was limited to just 30 innings in 2023 with a lat strain.

Whitley did not participate in his scheduled bullpen session Saturday due to middle finger soreness, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley experienced soreness when warming up for his bullpen session and will be evaluated by doctors. An extended absence could severely impact his chances of landing a reliever spot with the Astros to start the season. Whitley appeared in eight Triple-A games in 2023 and registered a 1-2 record with a 5.70 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and a 32:17 K:BB over 30 innings.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Monday that Whitley is healthy and will report to spring training as a reliever, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley didn't make an appearance at Triple-A Sugar Land after late May because of a right lat strain, but he's been throwing this offseason without issue. While the former top prospect will have a chance to win a bullpen job out of spring training, he could be sent back to Sugar Land after the Astros were awarded a fourth option year.

Astros general manager Dana Brown confirmed Sunday that Whitley (lat) could be an option to join the major-league squad as a reliever once he's healthy and activated from Triple-A Sugar Land's 7-day injured list, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though he's been regarded as one of the Astros' top pitching prospects for more than a half decade, Whitley has yet to make his MLB debut, with multiple setbacks on the health front having stalled his development. Now on the mend from a right lat strain that's expected to keep him shelved for around 3-to-4 months, Whitley likely won't have enough time to get stretched back out for a starting role at Triple-A even if he meets the short end of that recovery timeline. The Astros still believe the 25-year-old right-hander possesses the sort of arsenal that can make him an effective weapon out of the bullpen, so if he's quickly able to reclaim command and velocity upon returning from the injury, he could make his long-awaited MLB debut at some point during the final month of the season.

Whitley (lat) is expected to miss 3-to-4 months, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley was placed on the injured list last week at Triple-A Sugar Land after suffering a right lat strain and now the Astros have provided an estimated recovery timetable for the oft-injured 25-year-old former top prospect. He'll be sidelined through at least the early part of August.

Whitley (lat) was placed on the minor-league injured list Sunday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Astros announced Sunday that Whitley is out indefinitely due to a right lat strain, so his move to the injured list is a procedural move. The right-hander made eight appearances (six starts) at Triple-A Sugar Land prior to his injury and posted a 5.70 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 30 innings. Manager Dusty Baker recently indicated that Whitley was in consideration to join the major-league club, but the 25-year-old will now shift his focus toward his rehab process.

The Astros announced Sunday that Whitley is out indefinitely after being diagnosed with a right lat strain, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

The injury is the latest in a long string of health-related setbacks for the star-crossed Whitley, who has yet to make his MLB debut despite being a fixture on top prospect lists since he was selected by the Astros in the first round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft. Whitley's lat strain comes at an especially inconvenient time for the Astros, as manager Dusty Baker acknowledged that the right-hander was in consideration to join the big club as a potential sixth starter after Houston recently began a stretch of 17 games in as many days, per Lerner. If the Astros do decide to incorporate a sixth starter into the mix, Whitley's Triple-A rotation mate, Ronel Blanco, now looks to be next in line for a call-up.

Whitley was removed from Thursday's start at Triple-A Sugar Land with discomfort in his right shoulder, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Astros are saying his removal was precautionary, but Whitley just recently missed a couple weeks of action with shoulder issues and he ended last season with a shoulder problem, as well. Whitley has been inconsistent with Sugar Land this season, posting a 5.70 ERA and 32:17 K:BB over 30 innings.

Whitley (shoulder) gave up one run on two hits and one walk while striking out four in four innings Saturday for Triple-A Sugar Land.

EDGE Analysis

Shoulder discomfort resulted in a two-week gap between starts for Whitley, but he never landed on the minor-league injured list. The Astros' rotation depth has been tested early this season, and if Whitley can stay healthy while performing well, he could make his big-league debut this summer. The 6-foot-7 righty has lacked consistency while pitching in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, but he has gone at least four innings in all six appearances and has 26 strikeouts in 25 innings.