The Astros optioned Whitley (finger) to Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley has been battling finger inflammation for the past couple weeks, and it appears to have cost him a chance at making Houston's Opening Day roster. According to Kawahara, the right-hander recently resumed playing catch and will continue building up as a reliever in minor-league camp. Whitley has primarily worked as a starter throughout his minor-league career but was limited to just 30 frames at Sugar Land last season due to a lat strain, and he wasn't particularly effective prior to the injury with a 5.70 ERA and 5.1 BB/9.