Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said Wednesday that Whitley (back) has progressed to throwing bullpen sessions, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander has been sidelined for nearly a month with back soreness, but he finally looks to be close to beginning a minor-league rehab assignment. The Cardinals might not have a spot in the bullpen available for Whitley once he's reinstated from the 10-day injured list; he posted a 6.10 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 8:7 K:BB in 10.1 innings with the big club prior to being shut down.

Whitley (back) resumed playing catch and could throw off a mound in the near future, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old is progressing in his recovery from back spasms and will require some time to build back up after being shut down from throwing for over a week. Whitley is likely at least a couple weeks away from being activated, and it's unclear if he'll require a rehab assignment.

Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said Sunday that Whitley (back) is at least five days away from beginning a throwing program, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley was placed on the injured list May 30 with mid-back spasms. The right-handed reliever appears to be progressing in his recovery, but he'll spend more than the minimum 10 days on the shelf while he works his way through a throwing program. Since Whitley will likely require a minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the IL, his next appearance for the Cardinals presumably won't come until late June at the earliest.

Whitley was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday, retroactive to May 27, with mid-back spasms, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old has been battling the issue all week and last pitched Monday against the White Sox. Whitley will be eligible to return from the injured list next Sunday, though it's unclear if he's expected to be ready to return at that point.

Whitley was credited with his first hold in a win over the Pirates on Friday, issuing a walk over a scoreless one-third of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

Just recalled from the alternate training site Thursday, Whitley was quickly put to work, albeit for a very short outing. The 26-year-old has sandwiched a pair of scoreless efforts around a hiccup against the Phillies in which he allowed two earned runs on two hits and a walk over 1.2 innings.

Whitley was recalled from the alternate training site Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley has already worked 3.2 innings out of the bullpen this season, and he's allowed two earned runs in that span. Andrew Miller (toe) will head to the 10-day injured list in the corresponding move.

Whitley was optioned to the Cardinals' alternate training site Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley made two relief appearances during his time on the major-league roster and posted a 4.91 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 3.2 innings. He'll return to the team's alternate camp after Kwang Hyun Kim (back) was activated from the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move.

Whitley, summoned from minor-league camp earlier Tuesday, fired 2.1 scoreless innings during which he allowed one hit and recorded a strikeout in a win over the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley picked up right where he left off during his solid rookie 2020 campaign, when he generated a 1.93 ERA and 0.64 WHIP across four appearances. With his ability to work multi-inning stints, the right-hander may be able to stick around on the big-league roster for some time if he continues to deliver performances of a similar caliber in middle relief.

Whitley was recalled by the Cardinals on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley looked good in his 4.2-inning debut last season, allowing one earned run while striking out five and walking just one. He failed to break camp on the Opening Day roster but will replace Johan Oviedo in the bullpen for now, with the latter heading to the alternate site in a corresponding move.

Whitley was optioned to minor-league camp Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley had a strong performance in camp by allowing just five hits and three walks while striking out 10 in 7.1 scoreless innings this spring, but he'll get some more experience in the minors to begin the regular season. The right-hander has made just four major-league appearances but could return to the big leagues if he continues to perform well in the minors in 2021.