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.

Whitley (arm) has yet to arrive at spring training, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley is currently in West Palm Beach, but he hasn't yet reported to camp for an unspecified reason. Manager Dusty Baker said that his late arrival isn't related to the arm issue that sidelined him for most of the 2020 season, but it's not yet clear when he'll join the team. If he's fully healthy, Whitley could make his major-league debut at some point in 2021.

Whitley (arm) was added to the Astros' 40-man roster Friday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

General manager James Click told Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle that Whitley has been working out and the team expects him to be healthy for the start of spring training, but as with any pitcher who ended the season with an arm injury, we should wait until he is throwing in spring games before taking that as gospel. Whitley was an obvious player to protect from the Rule 5 draft, but he is coming off a pretty disappointing season, as he was looking as good as he has in years before coming down with an arm injury early at the alternate training site. Health permitting, this could be the year that he finally makes his big-league debut.

Whitley (arm) has yet to resume throwing at the Astros' alternate training site, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

He is still working out, but there has been no word on his diagnosis after visiting a doctor earlier this month after he reported some arm discomfort. Even if he eventually gets back to 100 percent without needing surgery, he has likely missed his window to contribute at the big-league level in 2020.

Whitley (arm) will be seen by a doctor before the Astros map out their next move, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley was shut down last week with arm soreness, and the Astros want to take a measured approach with their top pitching prospect. The right-hander has had dealt with injuries since 2018.

Whitley has battled arm discomfort both during summer camp and during recent throwing sessions at the Astros' secondary training site, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley's bad luck continues, as he battled shoulder problems for much of last season and struggled to a 7.99 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP over 59.2 innings across four levels when he was able to take the mound. The Astros have far more than their fair share of injuries to their pitching staff at the moment, which would theoretically provide an opportunity for Whitley to make his big-league debut, but he'll need to prove both his health and effectiveness before earning that chance, and it's not clear when he'll be able to do either one.

Whitley did not make the Opening Day roster.

EDGE Analysis

General manager James Click said that Whitley is "maintaining a lot of the improvements I've seen from him," according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. There are undoubtedly some service-time considerations at play, but the Astros are also going to be careful not to throw their top prospect into the fire until they believe he is ready to have success. He should get fully stretched out at the alternate training site but is not a lock to debut in 2020.