Nearly a decade after it began, the Forrest Whitley experiment in Houston now appears over. Whitley, a first-round pick by the Astros in 2017 and the team's top prospect from 2018-21, was designated for assignment on Sunday. Houston will now either trade Whitley, place him on waivers, or release him outright.

The Houston Astros designated reliever Forrest Whitley for assignment Sunday, potentially ending the former top pitching prospect's tenure in the organization. Whitley, a first-round draft pick in 2016,

The team recently designated the 27-year-old for assignment, who will now either be traded, placed on waivers, or released outright. It is a disappointing day for Whitley and the Astros, who had high hopes for their former top prospect and 2016 Draft first-round pick.