Whitley’s latest injury is ‘good news’
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Testing on Astros pitching prospect Forrest Whitley revealed no structural damage in his right shoulder, general manager James Click said Wednesday, labeling the diagnosis “really good news.”
Whitley exited his start at Class AAA Sugar Land on Sunday after 20 pitches. The team initially described his ailment as “right shoulder inflammation,” but imaging revealed a minor issue in Whitley’s bicep.
“It’s not anything to do with the shoulder, per se,” Click said during his weekly interview on SportsTalk 790, the Astros’ flagship radio station. “He’s just got a little bit of inflammation in the top of the bicep right where it hits the shoulder. Hopefully it’s just seven to 10 days of not throwing a baseball and pick it up from there.”
Once regarded as baseball’s top pitching prospect, Whitley underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2021. He made two minor league rehab appearances before returning to Class AAA Sugar Land on a permanent basis this month.
Whitley threw 67 pitches and surrendered six earned runs during his first start for the Space Cowboys before exiting his second one early. Whitley remains on the Astros’ 40-man roster but will likely need a trip to the minor league injured list after his recent injury.
“The stuff has looked good. It’s looked like the Forrest that was drafted here and that was, at a time, the top pitching prospect in baseball,” Click said. “If he can continue to use that stuff and have some success at the Triple-A level, he’s going to put himself in a spot of real consideration for us.”
Lee to continue his education
The Astros are still “awaiting word” on backup catcher Jason Castro’s prognosis and have no timeline for his return from a left knee injury, manager Dusty Baker said Wednesday.
Castro is not running or doing any form of baseball activities, Baker said. The situation creates a predicament for the Astros. Top prospect Korey Lee remains on the major league roster but has started two games and taken nine plate appearances during his first 13 days in the big leagues as Martín Maldonado’s backup. “He’s getting on-thejob training and big league instruction,” Baker said. “Not to slight the minor league instruction, but he’s getting some advanced training. … Hopefully, he’s learned from Maldy, watching our guys hit. He’s pretty studious. If he does well, who says he has to go back? We’re trying to help him.”
Lee is 23 years old. He played just 64 games at Class AAA Sugar Land prior to his promotion and is not viewed as anything near a finished product. Lee slashed .226/.285/.419 at Sugar Land while working through an array of swing adjustments. The Astros promoted him more out of necessity than merit.
Don’t be mistaken, though: Lee is getting a crash course in major league life during this promotion. He is viewed as the team’s catcher of the future, but it’s worth wondering how long the Astros will allow Lee to remain a once-a-week backup.
“I think (being in the clubhouse) is going to escalate everything, honestly, as quick as possible,” Lee said earlier this month. “Being around these guys, I’m learning everything and new information every minute while I’m here. Really talking to these guys benefits me a lot.”
It brings into focus what Baker called one of baseball’s oldest questions surrounding player development: Are prospects better off playing every day in the minor leagues or learning from the major leaguers with limited playing time?
The Astros can’t demote Lee to the minor leagues without a replacement for him on the major league roster. None exists in their organization, inviting wonder whether Click might survey the trade market or waiver wire for a veteran backstop to spell Maldonado and allow Lee to continue his development on the field.
Verlander doesn’t go to Anaheim
Justin Verlander did not accompany the Astros to Anaheim because of a “family issue,” Baker revealed after Houston’s 6-5 victory against the Angels on Tuesday.
Verlander attended the team’s three-game series against the A’s to start this six-game road trip. He is not scheduled to pitch again until the Astros return home this weekend to face Oakland for a three-game series at Minute Maid Park.
Asked if Verlander would be back for the A’s series, Baker said: “We hope so.”
Before Tuesday’s game, Baker revealed Verlander will “probably not” appear in next week’s All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium — the ninth Midsummer Classic of Verlander’s esteemed career. The 39year-old ace has a 2.00 ERA and leads the major leagues with 11 wins after his first 16 starts.
Reno rallies with 8th-inning runs
Enoli Paredes was tagged for two eighthinning runs Wednesday as the Reno Aces rallied past the Sugar Land Space Cowboys 6-5 at Constellation Field.
Paredes walked two of the first three hitters he faced before surrendering a game-tying single to Dominic Moroglio, who also homered for Reno. With runners at first at third, Camden Duzenack plated the decisive run with a squeeze bunt that resulted in a single.
David Hensley, Yainer Diaz and Taylor Jones homered for Sugar Land. Pedro León went 2-for-3 and stole his 30th base, which ranks second among all Class AAA players this year.
Former first-round Astros draft pick Seth Beer hit a home run for the Aces.