HOUSTON – Nearly eight years after being drafted, pitcher Forrest Whitley will likely finally have the chance to make his MLB debut, as he has been called up by the Houston Astros, the team announced.
Today, the #Astros recalled RHP Forrest Whitley.
— Astros Player Development (@AstrosPlayerDev) April 16, 2024
This will be his first time in the Major Leagues. pic.twitter.com/IOlqawxRmd
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The 26-year-old will join a Houston pitching staff that has been completely decimated by injuries. The list of injured starting pitchers is almost unbelievably long, with Lance McCullers Jr., Kendall Graveman and Luis Garcia on the 60-day IL, and Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez and Jose Urquidy on the 15-day IL.
These injuries have contributed to a woeful 6-12 start to the 2024 season, and the Astros sit at last place in the AL West.
Whitley was selected 17th overall by the Astros in the 2016 MLB Draft. Hailing from Alamo Heights, he went straight to the league out of high school and was on track to be a future ace. His trajectory was stifled by several setbacks, including multiple injuries and a 50-game suspension in 2018.
It’s unclear when Whitley will take the mound, but he’ll be tasked with helping the ‘Stros get back on the right track. His fastball can hang in the upper-90s, and his off-speed pitches also have potential.
The Astros will host the Braves at 7:10 p.m. on Tuesday, and they’ll wrap up their series with Atlanta on Wednesday.