Whitley was invited to the Astros' big-league camp Tuesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

A first-round pick back in 2016, Whitley endured a tough 2019 campaign. In 11 starts for Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Round Rock last season, he posted a 9.00 ERA and 1.85 WHIP while featuring a 29.5 percent strikeout rate and 15.43 percent walk rate. With just five of those starts coming at the Triple-A level, the highly rated prospect likely needs some more minor-league experience before he's ready to push for a big-league roster spot.

Whitley, who took a no-hitter into the fifth inning of his 2019 Arizona Fall League debut, attributed a lot of his woes this season to trying to make some necessary mechanical adjustments that he hopes will ease the stress on his shoulder going forward, Jim Callis of MLB.com reports. "I'm getting a lot more comfortable with the newer delivery, throwing a lot more strikes as of late, bullpen [sessions] have been really solid lately," Whitley said.

EDGE Analysis

He missed seven weeks with shoulder fatigue this year, which is what led to the mechanical tweaks that he says resulted in some growing pains that will be worth it in the long run. Whitley is working on maintaining a better posture in is upper body, and it is understandably not an overnight fix when adjusting a delivery that he has been using for the past seven years. He struck out six while allowing one hit and two walks in 4.2 innings for Peoria over the weekend. Whitley is simply too talented to struggle for much longer if his health cooperates. He won't make the big-league rotation out of spring training, but if his mechanical adjustments pay off, he could spend a good chunk of 2020 in the majors.

Whitley will throw in the Arizona Fall League, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Astros top pitching prospect has endured a season plagued by injuries and ineffectiveness. Whitley pitched to a 12.21 ERA over his first eight starts before the organization sent him to Florida for a two-month reset, a period during which he was on the minor-league injured list with right shoulder fatigue. Since his return to full-season affiliates, the right-hander has been inconsistent, posting a 4.94 ERA over six starts for Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Round Rock.

Whitley (shoulder) could still contribute in some capacity in the majors this season, but he faces an uphill battle to do so, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. "He would have to prove to us in August that he could help us, which is a high bar (because) he's not currently on the (40-man) roster," general manager Jeff Luhnow said Saturday. "But I'm not going to rule it out, that's for sure."

EDGE Analysis

He walked five and only threw 42 of 82 pitches for strikes in 3.2 innings Saturday for Double-A Corpus Christi, interrupting what had been a nice three-game run for him. In his three previous starts -- two at High-A and one at Double-A -- Whitley struck out 16 and walked only three in 12.1 innings of three-run ball. Whitley is certainly talented enough to make a case for joining the big-league roster in September, but he would really have to be lights-out going forward to force the Astros to clear a 40-man roster spot for him. In all likelihood, he will make his big-league debut in 2020.

Whitley (shoulder) will make another start for Double-A Corpus Christi on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander fared well in his first rehab start for Corpus Christi on Aug. 4, allowing one run on two hits and two walks while striking out five over four innings against Midland. Whitley has been slowly working his way back from a bout of shoulder fatigue, which sidelined him initially in late May. It's not out of the question that we could still see Whitley with the big club in September, but he's not on the 40-man roster, and the Astros may very well decide they're set without Whitley this season.

Whitley (shoulder) was transferred to Double-A Corpus Christi on Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley has been sidelined since late May with shoulder fatigue, but he's ready to move his rehab to the upper minors after striking out nine and allowing just one hit across five scoreless innings in his most recent outing with High-A Fayetteville on Tuesday. It remains to be seen how many appearances the young righty will make with the Hooks before rejoining Triple-A Round Rock.

Whitley (shoulder) will make at least one more start at High-A Fayetteville before moving up to either Double-A Corpus Christi or Triple-A Round Rock, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley, who was shut down in late May with shoulder fatigue, started for Fayetteville last week, throwing 61 pitches (37 strikes) and 3.1 innings. It looks like the Astros are building up his pitch count before he moves up to an advanced-level affiliate.

Whitley (shoulder) will make a rehab start for High-A Fayetteville on Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley was shut down with shoulder fatigue in late May after opening the season with a 12.21 ERA in 24.1 innings for Triple-A Round Rock. He hasn't been any better thus far on his rehab assignment, allowing five runs (four earned) while walking nine batters in 4.1 innings at the rookie-ball level, but he'll move up to a full-season affiliate Wednesday despite his continued struggles.

General manager Jeff Luhnow said Whitley (shoulder) will pitch for High-A Fayetteville before the end of the month, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley has been sidelined since the end of May with right shoulder fatigue. After making a pair of rehab starts in the Gulf Coast League, the young righty is set to join Fayetteville for his next start. It remains to be seen how many more rehab starts Whitley will require before being cleared to rejoin the Triple-A rotation.

Whitley (shoulder) gave up two runs (one earned) on one hit and six walks while striking out five in 2.2 innings during Friday's rehab appearance in the Gulf Coast League.

EDGE Analysis

This is shaping up to be another semi-lost season for Whitley, who has missed significant time with shoulder fatigue and has pitched poorly when he's been healthy. His stock is clearly down, but he is still just 21 years old and his ceiling has not changed. The extremely hitter-friendly environment of the Pacific Coast League has not helped matters. He is a strong candidate to be assigned to the Arizona Fall League to make up for lost time if healthy.