Rays Make Trade With Astros After Shane McClanahan News originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Houston Astros enter Friday atop the American League West standings. Owning a 4.5 game lead over the second place Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels, the Astros look primed for another postseason appearance.

The Rays on Friday acquired right-hander Forrest Whitley from the Astros for cash considerations. Whitley, a former first-round Draft pick in 2016, was designated for assignment by Houston on June 8.

Back in 2018 and 2019, Whitley was the Astros' top prospect and was ranked inside the top ten overall. In 2022, Whitley dropped to fifth within the Astros organization, and in 2023, Whitley dropped out of the top 20 prospects in Houston.