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.

Whitley has been told by a doctor that he'll need Tommy John surgery, Mark Berman of KRIV Fox 26 reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley experienced some arm soreness during a recent simulated game and has since been diagnosed with a right UCL sprain, per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle. It's the latest in a long line of setbacks for the talented 23-year-old, who's thrown just 86 innings since the start of the 2018 season due to a suspension and multiple injuries. It had looked as though he was on the doorstep of making his big-league debut, especially after Framber Valdez fractured his finger, but it now looks as if he won't pitch in any capacity until the middle of next year. He'll get a second opinion, the results of which should be known within a few days, before going through with the procedure.

Whitley threw a simulated game and, per manager Dusty Baker, "came up sore," Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Baker did not disclose any other details on Whitley's status, but this report certainly provides reason for concern, and it will presumably alter Whitley's throwing program to some degree.

Whitley cleared COVID-19 intake testing and joined the Astros for workouts Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley missed just under a week of camp, so he shouldn't be too far behind the rest of the Houston pitching staff in the ramp-up process for the start of the season. The 23-year-old is still waiting for his first big-league call-up, as he missed out on a potential promotion last summer while battling an arm injury. He's back to full health for the start of spring training, but Whitley will likely have to impress at Triple-A Sugar Land to begin the season before Houston gives him a trial in the big-league rotation.

Whitley's arrival to camp is delayed due to COVID-19 intake procedures, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Players underwent a PCR and antibody test upon reporting for spring training and is now required to observe a five-day quarantine period. It was previously unclear what had caused Whitley's delayed arrival, and given this news, it's now expected the 23-year-old will be available within a matter of days.