Headlines

  • Aaron Judge Will Not Require Elbow Surgery; Rodón, Volpe Expected To Start 2026 On IL
  • Anthony Volpe Undergoes Shoulder Surgery
  • Alex Bregman Will Opt Out Of Red Sox Contract
  • Mike Shildt Steps Down As Padres Manager
  • Tigers Extended Manager A.J. Hinch Earlier This Season
  • Munetaka Murakami To Be Posted This Offseason
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Athletics
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2026-27 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2026
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Astros Designate Forrest Whitley For Assignment

By Mark Polishuk | June 8, 2025 at 9:50am CDT

The Astros announced that right-hander Forrest Whitley has been designated for assignment.  Left-hander Brandon Walter was called up from Triple-A Sugar Land in the corresponding move.

Selected 17th overall in the 2016 draft, Whitley was once viewed as one of baseball’s top pitching prospects, and he was a fixture on top-100 prospect lists even as injuries and a 50-game drug policy suspension in 2018 hampered his career.  Due to the canceled 2020 minor league season and a Tommy John surgery, Whitley went over 21 months (from September 2, 2019 to June 16, 2022) between a proper in-game appearance in the minor leagues.

That long layoff was the turning point in Whitley’s career, as he only showed flashes of his prior form once he returned to the mound.  A lat strain limited him to 30 Triple-A innings in 2023, but a move to full-time bullpen work in 2024 seemed to put Whitley on the right track, as a 1.89 ERA over 33 1/3 relief innings for Round Rock earned Whitley his first taste of MLB action in the form of three appearances for the 2024 Astros.

More injuries arose this year, as a left knee bone bruise and left knee sprain resulted in two separate trips to the IL for Whitley.  It is quite possible his health issues impacted his performance, as the righty struggled to a 12.27 ERA over 7 1/3 innings for the Astros, with two home runs and six walks allowed within that small sample.

Whitley’s lack of effectiveness didn’t leave Houston with much choice beyond a DFA, as Whitley is out of options and can’t be sent to the minors without first being exposed to waivers.  Should he clear waivers, Whitley can be outrighted off the Astros’ 40-man roster and returned to Sugar Land, though it is worth wondering if the Astros might be ready to simply move on from Whitley entirely.

Given Whitley’s past pedigree, it wouldn’t be a shock if another team claimed him away to see if a change of scenery could finally unlock the right-hander’s potential.  The pure stuff still seems to be there, as Whitley’s fastball (96.3mph) and slider (96.7mph) have plenty of velocity even if his walk rates have spiraled upwards.  Whitley is still only 27 years old, and might yet be able to join the long list of former top prospects who became late bloomers in terms of big league success.

Share Repost Send via email

Houston Astros Transactions Brandon Walter Forrest Whitley

Rays Promote Ian Seymour
Main
Julio Rodriguez Helped Off Field Following Apparent Injury
View Comments (47)
Post a Comment

47 Comments

  1. HEHEHATE

    4 months ago

    I wish this was sad but it is the reality of the situation.

    4
    Reply
  2. Monkey’s Uncle

    4 months ago

    “Run, Forrest, Run!”

    11
    Reply
  3. hiflew

    4 months ago

    I remember several years back when some people practically had this guy in the Hall of Fame before he ever got out of AA. He may have had the talent before injury, but it just goes to show that it takes a lot more than just talent to form a HOF career. It takes durability and a lot of luck too.

    2
    Reply
    • Mendoza Line 215

      4 months ago

      Hi- Well said.Plenty of posters here think that promise equals ML success.
      It often does not.
      When the Pirates were shopping Cole I remember that this guy was untouchable.
      They fortunately got Musgrave instead.

      2
      Reply
      • Hammerin' Hank

        4 months ago

        The majority of players who become stars in MLB were once very promising prospects. Of course they’re not all going to work out. Nobody thinks that.

        1
        Reply
  4. m12345

    4 months ago

    Astros AAA is Sugar Land not Round Rock.

    4
    Reply
    • solaris602

      4 months ago

      And they recently switched from the Skeeters to the Space Cowboys.

      1
      Reply
      • CO Guardening

        4 months ago

        baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=whi…

        He played for Round Rock in 2019.

        2
        Reply
        • mro940

          4 months ago

          RR was their AAA club then

          2
          Reply
        • GB

          4 months ago

          In 2024? Nope.

          Reply
  5. jdgoat

    4 months ago

    Poor man is going to have to resurrect his career in Colorado now

    4
    Reply
    • Big whiffa

      4 months ago

      Miami does well with pitchers. Idk who else other than those two could possibly claim him ?

      Reply
      • 96mnc

        4 months ago

        He’ll have plenty suitors

        CWS
        SD
        LAD
        PIT
        TB
        OAK
        MIL
        MIA

        Any rebuilding teams or teams that believe in their pitching labs. I actually wouldn’t be surprised if a team trades for him.

        1
        Reply
        • Big whiffa

          4 months ago

          Nailed it ! Good call

          Reply
  6. You are wrong

    4 months ago

    Round Rock is the Rangers affiliate guys.

    Reply
    • El Kabong

      4 months ago

      Whitley pitched for Round Rock, but that was back in 2019. He pitched for Sugar Land in the years referenced in the article.

      3
      Reply
      • You are wrong

        4 months ago

        They edited it guy

        Reply
        • El Kabong

          4 months ago

          Good

          Reply
  7. tangerinepony

    4 months ago

    Nice First round bust from 2017

    3
    Reply
    • tangerinepony

      4 months ago

      It just goes to show you that it’s a massive gamble taking any pitcher in the 1st round

      1
      Reply
      • CO Guardening

        4 months ago

        Especially a HS pitcher. However, that whole first round was a bust. Wil Smith is the top talent in that round. Cal Quantril is second in career WAR in the 2016 1st round. That says a lot.

        4
        Reply
        • El Kabong

          4 months ago

          Here’s an article following the 2016 draft with pick-by-pick analysis by Jim Callis. There are plenty of “high floor” guys who missed. This is not meant as a knock on Callis. More than in other sports, the MLB draft is an inexact science.

          mlb.com/news/mlb-draft-pick-by-pick-selections-ana…

          4
          Reply
        • For Love of the Game

          4 months ago

          Cole Ragans and Will Smith. Other than them, a bunch of guys whose names we barely recognize.

          1
          Reply
        • Mendoza Line 215

          4 months ago

          Thanks El.
          There is a stigma attached to first rounders as they are supposed to be can’t miss.
          I do not get too excited about minor league players until they perform extremely well at AAA for at least a couple of months.
          Once in awhile there is someone who is extremely talented who can skip that level with success but rarely.
          Your attached list does indeed prove that it is an inexact science no matter what the statistics say.

          Reply
        • Rsox

          4 months ago

          That’s a bit of exaggeration. There are plenty of guys that while not stars have been solid MLB players. In the Lottery Round A you had Bryan Reynolds and Bo Bichette drafted.

          The craziest one was seeing Alex Kirilloff drafted and him already retiring

          1
          Reply
        • AAAAProspect

          4 months ago

          Both Reynolds and Bo were 2nd round picks

          Reply
        • Rsox

          4 months ago

          Well the article is broken down as “lottery round A”

          Reply
        • AAAAProspect

          4 months ago

          You missed “Second Round”
          Pick 42 starts the second. Look again. Honest mistake.

          Reply
        • Joe It All

          4 months ago

          Of the very few major leaguers from the First Round and Comp round A the Cincinnati Reds have 3 of the 41 on their roster.. Gavin Lux, Will Benson and Nick Lodolo

          Reply
  8. baseballnerd20

    4 months ago

    Would be interested in seeing what Stearns & Hefner could do with him.

    3
    Reply
    • solaris602

      4 months ago

      Step one is keeping him off the Stearns & Foster

      1
      Reply
    • Soto should bat first.

      4 months ago

      Right!

      Reply
  9. olmtiant

    4 months ago

    Loved him in “Fast times at Ridgemont High!!”

    3
    Reply
  10. forealforeal615

    4 months ago

    Would love to see O’s claim him.

    Reply
  11. stubby66

    4 months ago

    Well first off he was ready before all the injuries and they kept him down trying to expand the years of control over him. All the clubs do it. Then guys get hurt in the minors. They need to start bring up guys when they are ready then at least you get something out of them. Plus maybe injuries won’t happen if up with the technology. Tired of pencil pushers deciding when guys are ready. Honestly dont know how anyone can have a HOF career now. Time to get back to the old ways

    3
    Reply
    • Hammerin' Hank

      4 months ago

      Just like with Jordan Lawlar. He came up briefly at the end of 2023. Then they sent him back to the minors for no apparent reason at the start of 2024. He got hurt in the minors and that set him back. Also, the Marlins with Max Meyer last year. He started out great in the majors and then they sent him down for no good reason and ruined his confidence. He’s only shown flashes of brilliance since.

      1
      Reply
  12. Dorothy_Mantooth

    4 months ago

    I’ve never heard of a pitcher whose slider in thrown faster than his fastball? 96.7 for his slider and 96.3 for his fastball???

    5
    Reply
    • wtfCheeseheadChuck

      4 months ago

      I was wondering about the accuracy of that to..

      Reply
  13. lowtalker1

    4 months ago

    Take a flyer San Diego, cannot be any worst than hart

    4
    Reply
  14. wtfCheeseheadChuck

    4 months ago

    Get to MIL and let the Crew go to work on him!

    5
    Reply
    • stubby66

      4 months ago

      AMEN!!

      2
      Reply
  15. Mendoza Line 215

    4 months ago

    He really needs to go to AAA to be able to really start a ML pitching career.
    He seems to be injury prone but may have promise if he can get a solid restart.

    Reply
  16. Acoss1331

    4 months ago

    Rays or Guardians can take a shot at rebuilding him into a quality reliever.

    1
    Reply
  17. Steinbrenner2728

    4 months ago

    He can still get signed by another MLB team.

    Reply
  18. astros_fan_84

    4 months ago

    I him him being in DFA limbo as teams claim him, DFA him, and try to pass him through waivers. If I were to gamble, I’d say he’ll be on three different teams before the season is out.

    Reply
  19. ❤️ MuteButton

    4 months ago

    Having arm talent doesn’t necessarily mean a guy is a competitor. Who knows, maybe a change of scenery will help him.

    Reply
  20. piratesanddbacksfan

    4 months ago

    Love 2 see pirates claim him and use in pen ,Thinks Marin’s magic would work on Whitley

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Aaron Judge Will Not Require Elbow Surgery; Rodón, Volpe Expected To Start 2026 On IL

    Anthony Volpe Undergoes Shoulder Surgery

    Alex Bregman Will Opt Out Of Red Sox Contract

    Mike Shildt Steps Down As Padres Manager

    Tigers Extended Manager A.J. Hinch Earlier This Season

    Munetaka Murakami To Be Posted This Offseason

    Cody Bellinger To Opt Out Of Contract With Yankees

    Angels, Albert Pujols Discussing Managerial Deal

    Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2026

    Rangers Hire Skip Schumaker As Manager

    Albert Pujols To Interview For Angels’ Managerial Vacancy, May Be “Leading Choice”

    Bill Schmidt Will Not Return As Rockies’ GM

    Brian Snitker Will Not Return As Braves’ Manager In 2026

    Angels To Have New Manager In 2026

    Rays Sale To Patrick Zalupski’s Group Officially Completed

    Guardians Promote Chase DeLauter For Wild Card Series

    Bruce Bochy Will Not Return As Rangers Manager Amid Financial Uncertainty

    Liam Hendriks Undergoes Ulnar Nerve Transposition Surgery

    Twins Fire Rocco Baldelli

    Giants Fire Bob Melvin

    Recent

    Aaron Judge Will Not Require Elbow Surgery; Rodón, Volpe Expected To Start 2026 On IL

    Cubs Notes: Tucker, Imanaga, Horton, Coaching Staff

    The Opener: ALCS, NLCS, Waiver Wire

    A.J. Preller Discusses Padres’ Rotation

    Latest On Mike Shildt’s Resignation As Padres Manager

    Diamondbacks Hire J.R. House As Third Base Coach

    Albert Pujols Expected To Interview For Orioles’ Managerial Opening

    Rocco Baldelli Interested In Managing Again

    Devin Williams: Open To Reunion With Yankees

    Nine Players Elect Free Agency

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Every MLB Trade In July
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Tim Dierkes' MLB Mailbag
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2026-27 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2026
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version