The Houston Astros have designated right-hander Forrest Whitley for assignment, calling up left-hander Brandon Walter from Triple-A Sugar Land in the process. Once a top pitching prospect selected 17th overall in the 2016 draft, Whitley’s career has been marred by injuries and a 50-game suspension, leading to a significant layoff and inconsistent performance, including a 12.27 ERA over 7 1/3 innings in 2024. Despite his struggles, Whitley’s strong fastball and slider may attract interest from other teams looking for potential in the 27-year-old former prospect.