HOUSTON — It's been a long wait, but Forrest Whitley has worked his way up to the major leagues.
Whitley was a first-round pick by the Houston Astros in 2016. He was taken 17th overall as an 18-year-old high school pitcher out of San Antonio.
His path to the majors has been anything but traditional. Whitley, now 26, has dealt with injuries and was suspended for 50 games in 2018 for violating the league's drug policy.
Whitley was added to the 40-man roster after the 2020 season. At the beginning of the 2021 season, he had to have Tommy John surgery, causing him to miss the entire season.
He started his rehab in 2022 and ended that year in Sugar Land with the Space Cowboys, the Astros' AAA affiliate.
Whitley's call to the majors comes as the Astros are struggling to fill out their rotation. To make room for him, Houston sent down Spencer Arrighetti, who started two games during his first cup of tea in the big leagues.
Houston is also hoping to get Justin Verlander back this weekend. Verlander, 41, hasn't pitched for the Astros yet this season after Houston traded for him at the trade deadline last year.
Starting pitcher Framber Valdez remains on the injured list with left elbow soreness. The timetable for his return is not clear.
