Whitley has fired 7.1 scoreless innings this spring, allowing five hits and recording a 10:3 K:BB across eight Grapefruit League appearances.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley posted a 1.93 ERA and 0.64 WHIP across four appearances last season (4.2 innings) in his first taste of the big leagues, and his body of work this spring has been reminiscent. The Cardinals bullpen has multiple hard throwers with above-average control, but Whitley seems to have carved out a consistent role to open the season with his Grapefruit League performance.

Whitley (elbow) allowed an earned run on one hit and also recorded a strikeout over an inning in a loss to the Royals on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley was just activated from the injured list Tuesday, so Wednesday's appearance was his first taste of game action since July 29. The right-hander was afforded a low-leverage scenario as a soft landing spot, as the Cardinals were already behind 11-1 by the time he entered in the seventh inning. Whitley could serve as a useful middle-relief option for manager Mike Shildt if the Cardinals qualify for the postseason, and he figures to get some more work in before the end of the regular season Sunday.

Whitley (elbow) was activated off the injured list Tuesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old is the final player still sidelined stemming from the team's COVID-19 outbreak, but he'll return from the elbow soreness Tuesday. Whitley appeared in two games before landing on the shelf, delivering 2.2 hitless innings with three strikeouts and zero walks.

Whitley (elbow) threw a bullpen session Saturday that he recovered well from, leading president of baseball operations John Mozeliak to proclaim the reliever "in the next day or so", Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley is the last of the Cardinals players that was part of the team's COVID-19 outbreak that's yet to return, although his ongoing absence is due to elbow soreness. The rookie had gotten the season off to a strong start before being sidelined, as he'd fired 2.2 scoreless innings across two appearances.

Whitley (elbow) has begun playing catch at the Cardinals' alternate training site in Springfield, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander began experiencing elbow discomfort during his catch sessions in late August while trying to build his arm back up following a COVID-19 infection. Whitley subsequently underwent evaluation, and manager Mike Shildt confirmed Wednesday "everything checked out positive structurally, and he's back to felling unrestricted". However, the 25-year-old remains without a firm timeline for return and is naturally running out of time with less than four weeks to go in the regular season.

Whitley, who is currently on the COVID-19 injured list, returned to St. Louis on Tuesday to receive a scan on his right elbow after he experienced discomfort in recent throwing sessions at the Cardinals' alternate training site, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

The rookie reliever was one of several Cardinals who tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month, but he's since received full clearance for baseball activities and is eligible to come off the IL whenever St. Louis chooses to activate him. His reinstatement may not be imminent, however, as he'll likely have to put his throwing program on hold for the time being while he waits for inflammation in his elbow to subside. Fortunately for Whitley, the Cardinals don't believe his elbow injury is a major concern, so the scans he required Tuesday were likely just precautionary.

Whitley (illness) continues to play catch at Busch Stadium and is expected to face live hitters at the team's alternate training site in Springfield before activation is considered, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley is one of several Cardinals players on the COVID-19 injured list to recently receive clearance to resume workouts. The right-hander had made two appearances covering 2.2 innings this season before being ensnared in the team's coronavirus outbreak, so his arm will need a certain degree of building up prior to activation after the extended layoff.

Whitley (illness) was cleared to resume workouts Tuesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley was among the Cardinals who tested positive for COVID-19 in early August, but he rejoined the team for workouts Tuesday. It's unclear what shape he's in or when he'll be able to return to the Cardinals' bullpen. Prior to the positive test, the right-hander had tossed 2.2 scoreless innings while striking out three.

Whitley (illness) was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Whitley tested positive for COVID-19 as part of the team's current outbreak, and Tuesday's transaction will free up a spot on the active roster in his absence. Under MLB protocol, the right-hander will be eligible to return to the team once he produces two consecutive negative tests. The Cardinals should call up some bullpen reinforcements in the coming days to replace Whitley and fellow righty Junior Fernandez.

Whitley tested positive for COVID-19.

EDGE Analysis

He is one of six Cardinals players who gave the team permission to announce his positive test. Whitley has three strikeouts in 2.2 perfect frames out of the big-league bullpen this season. Fellow righty reliever Junior Fernandez also tested positive, so the Cardinals should have bullpen reinforcements on the way from the alternate training site in the coming days.