Whitley's last start for Triple-A Sugar Land was skipped due to minor right shoulder discomfort, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley has the most name value of Houston's starters at Triple-A, but after a strong first two starts of the campaign, the 6-foot-7 righty has struggled to the tune of a 9.00 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in 13 innings over his three most recent starts. J.P. France and Brandon Bielak were chosen for the open rotation spots at the big-league level.

Whitley gave up five earned runs on four hits and three walks while striking out six in 4.2 innings in this week's appearance against Triple-A Las Vegas.

EDGE Analysis

This was Whitley's first slip up of the year, as he gave up just one run while striking out 11 in eight innings over his first two appearances. He was done in by the long ball in his third start of the year, as he gave up two home runs at home for Triple-A Sugar Land. Despite this hiccup, Whitley has put himself squarely back on the dynasty and redraft map with a 0.95 WHIP and 17 strikeouts in 12.2 innings.

The Astros optioned Whitley to minor-league camp Sunday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley has made a pair of appearances in Grapefruit League games, throwing four innings and allowing two runs with a 3:1 K:BB ratio. Once ranked as the top pitching prospect in all of baseball, Whitley has struggled with injuries and command and also dealt with a PED suspension, but the 25-year-old has a good chance to make his MLB debut at some point this summer with Houston.

Whitley said Thursday that he's over the right lat injury which prematurely ended his 2022 season, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley had to be scratched from his final start for Triple-A Sugar Land after feeling something in the back of his lat during a bullpen session, but he said it's a non-issue now. The former top prospect has had a terrible time with injuries and throwing strikes the last few years, having posted a 7.09 ERA and 36:25 K:BB over 33 innings for Sugar Land last season. He's still just 25, though, and way too talented to give up on.

Whitley is dealing with "very minor" shoulder discomfort, according to general manager James Click, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley last pitched Sept. 16 and was scratched from a start Thursday with shoulder discomfort. He logged a 5.06 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and a 23:17 K:BB in 21.1 innings over his five most recent minor-league starts. Whitley, who is on the 40-man roster, only tallied 40 innings in his first minor-league season since 2019.

Whitley (arm) is scheduled to make an appearance Thursday for Triple-A Sugar Land, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though Whitley was never placed on Sugar Land's injured list, he hadn't pitched for the affiliate since July 10 due to inflammation of his right biceps. The Astros were apparently satisfied with how Whitley checked out during his recent throwing sessions, so he'll be able to slot back into the Sugar Land rotation without the need of a rehab assignment at a lower-level affiliate. Expect Whitley to be capped at around two innings in his first outing in nearly a month.

Astros general manager James Click said Wednesday that Whitley sustained no structural damage to his right shoulder after exiting his most recent start for Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley was diagnosed with inflammation in the shoulder immediately after his departure, and that looks to be the extent of the right-hander's injury after follow-up tests revealed nothing else concerning. Click said he's hopeful that Whitley will be ready to resume throwing after a 7-to-10-day shutdown period, so the right-hander is still likely to land on Sugar Land's 7-day injured list. Once he's cleared to resume throwing, Whitley will likely need at least a few days to ramp back up before Sugar Land clears him to return to game action.

Whitley exited Sunday's start at Triple-A Sugar Land due to right shoulder inflammation, Mark Berman of Fox 26 reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley appeared to be favoring his throwing arm as he left the field Sunday, and he's apparently dealing with inflammation. It's not yet clear whether the issue will require a trip to the injured list.

Whitley was removed from Sunday's start at Triple-A Sugar Land due to an apparent right arm injury, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley was activated from the injured list Monday after recovering from Tommy John surgery, so it's concerning that he was favoring his throwing arm as he exited Sunday's matchup in the top of the second inning. The exact nature and severity of his injury aren't yet clear.

Whitley (elbow) was activated from the injured list Monday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley made a few rehab starts in recent weeks, but he has officially completed his comeback from Tommy John surgery and is ready to pitch regularly again. Whitley was assigned to Triple-A Sugar Land, where he will work on building up his pitch count. He could be an option for the big club at some point in the second half, but the Astros have a lot of capable starters, so they have little incentive to push him over the remainder of the campaign.