Buster Olney of ESPN has reported that Houston Astros pitching prospect Forrest Whitley has been suspended for 50 games, apparently for a substance-abuse issue.
Whitley, a 6-feet, 7-inch right-hander from San Antonio, saw action in seven games for the Buies Creek Astros of the high Class A Carolina League last season.
He compiled a 3-1 record for the area team with a 3.16 earned run average. Whitley, 20, struck out 50 in 31 and one-third innings with Buies Creek.
Whitley joined Buies Creek on July 3 last season and went up to Double-A Corpus Christi of the Texas League on Aug. 17.