Whitley (elbow) will make a rehab appearance for Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley is nearing the end of his rehab from Tommy John surgery. The former top prospect is unlikely to start games for the Astros this season barring multiple injuries, as the big-league rotation will have seven reliable options once Jake Odorizzi (leg) and Lance McCullers (forearm) return.

Whitley (elbow) allowed one hit and struck out two across two scoreless innings in a rehab appearance with Single-A Fayetteville on Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley made his second rehab appearance as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery. He threw 21 of his 29 pitches for strikes. Whitley will continue to ramp up his workload with a couple more rehab starts before being activated from the injured list, when he will likely enter the rotation for Triple-A Sugar Land.

Whitley (elbow) is scheduled to make his second rehab start Wednesday for Single-A Fayetteville, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

After making a two-inning rehab start June 16 with the Astros' rookie-level Florida Complex League in his first game action of 2022, Whitley will report to a full-season affiliate as he continues his ramp-up program. Since he hasn't pitched since the 2019 season while recovering from March 2021 Tommy John surgery, Whitley will likely require at least a couple more starts with Fayetteville or another lower-level affiliate before eventually slotting into Triple-A Sugar Land's rotation.

Whitley (elbow) struck out two over two innings and was charged with three earned runs on three hits and two walks in a rehab start Thursday with the Astros' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley's numbers are indicative of some rust, but that was to be expected after he hadn't made an appearance in affiliated ball since Sept. 2, 2019. Arm troubles prevented him from joining the Astros during the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, and he missed the entire 2021 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery last March. Now 15 months removed from the procedure, Whitley should gradually work deeper into his rehab starts and ideally will show improved command before likely settling into the Triple-A Sugar Land rotation. The Astros will be careful to monitor Whitley's workload this season coming off surgery, so if he gets a call to the big leagues in 2022, he may be tasked with a relief role.

Whitley (elbow) was optioned to minor-league camp Sunday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley is recovering from Tommy John surgery in March 2021 and never had a chance of breaking camp on the big-league roster. The 24-year-old has been throwing off a mound, though it's unclear where exactly he currently stands in his rehab work, but he's could be ready for game action sometime in June.

Whitley (elbow) posted a video Sunday on his personal Instagram account featuring him throwing off a mound.

EDGE Analysis

As a player on the Astros' 40-man roster, Whitley wasn't able to work out at the organization's minor-league camp while the MLB lockout was in place, but now that labor peace has been reached, he'll have his rehab from March 2021 Tommy John surgery overseen by the Houston staff. Now that he's nearly a full year removed from the procedure, Whitley could advance to facing hitters by the end of camp in early April, though he won't be ready to go for the start of the minor-league season. Once the Astros are comfortable with Whitley pitching in games, he'll likely report to one of the organization's lower-level affiliates before settling into the Triple-A Round Rock rotation. Houston still appears intent on developing Whitley as a starter long term, though he could make his MLB debut as a reliever at some point in the second half of the 2022 season if he looks sharp in his initial minor-league appearances.

Whitley (elbow) reported to the Astros' spring training facility this week to begin a throwing program, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley underwent Tommy John surgery in March and still has another 6-to-8 months before getting into game action. That will unfold in the minors, as the right-hander has thrown just 86 innings of affiliated ball since 2017. The one-time elite pitching prospect has tumbled down the rankings since the beginning of 2018, when he was suspended 50 games for violating MLB drug policy. An oblique injury, a mechanical adjustment that led to a 12.21 ERA in 2019 and an arm injury that prevented him from participating in the abbreviated 2020 season then served to further derail him.

Whitley underwent Tommy John elbow surgery Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley felt discomfort in the elbow while throwing live batting practice earlier this month and could not avoid surgery. He faces a 12-to-14 month recovery period and could possibly pitch during the second half of 2022.

The Astros optioned Whitley (elbow) to their minor-league camp Sunday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley's demotion was merely procedural, as the right-handed pitching prospect is already slated to miss the entire 2021 season due to his impending Tommy John surgery. Due to the timing of his procedure, Whitley will more than likely miss the first half of the 2022 campaign as well.

Whitley will undergo Tommy John surgery, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley was told by a doctor over the weekend that he'd require Tommy John surgery, and manager Dusty Baker revealed Wednesday that he received a second opinion that confirmed the prognosis. Whitley won't pitch until 2022 as a result, and the right-hander has thrown just 86 innings since the start of the 2018 campaign due to a suspension and various injuries.