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.

Whitley threw live batting practice at the main camp at Minute Maid Park on Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley, who has spent time at both the main and alternate camps, will not be part of the 30-man active roster when the regular season starts. As such, he will spend the season in the player pool, which will shift activities to Corpus Christi on July 24.

Whitley is part of the Astros' player pool working out at the alternate camp on the campus of the University of Houston, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley, the team's top prospect, is expected to stay at the University of Houston through July 24 before heading to Corpus Christi when the regular season begins.

Whitley is part of the Astros' 60-man player pool.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley may not make it to the eventual 30-man roster (or three-man taxi squad), but the Astros want their top pitching prospect to get work in as part of the extended roster.

Astros pitching coach Brent Strom said Tuesday that he expects Whitley to be assigned to Triple-A Fresno to begin the 2020 season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

This was the expectation, but Strom essentially confirmed that the team's top pitching prospect is not in the hunt for a spot in the Opening Day rotation. "And when it's right, it'll happen, but I don't think right now I would consider him, you know, a viable candidate [for the No. 5 spot]." Whitley struggled to a 12.21 ERA in eight appearances at the Triple-A level last year while battling through shoulder fatigue. He returned late in the calendar year, putting up an impressive 32:9 K:BB in 25 innings in the Arizona Fall League. Whitley is in camp with the big-league squad.