Astros trade former top prospect Whitley to Rays

The Houston Astros traded right-hander Forrest Whitley to the Tampa Bay Rays for cash considerations, the clubs announced Friday.

The Astros designated Whitley for assignment last Saturday after he allowed 10 earned runs on seven hits with six walks and eight strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings of bullpen work this season.

However, the 27-year-old was Houston's No. 1 prospect in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 after being taken in the first round of the 2016 draft.

Whitley didn't make his MLB debut until last year due to several injuries and a suspension for violating the league's drug prevention and treatment program.