Astros top pitching prospect Forrest Whitley could require Tommy John surgery after being diagnosed with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.
The team announced Monday morning Whitley, 23, is seeking another opinion before finalizing plans for treatment.
Whitley experience discomfort in his elbow during a live BP session last week at the Astros' spring training complex in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The Astros have been waiting for Whitley to break out in the Major Leagues for years now, and this injury poses a significant setback in his development.
Whitley was the 17th overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, but he's thrown just 112 innings since 2017.
Last season, Whitley dealt with a forearm strain. In 2019, he was a disaster, posting a 12.21 ERA in 24 1/2 innings in Triple A.
It appears 2021 could be another lost season for the Astros' top pitching prospect.