FORREST WHITLEY

Carlos Correa drove in the winning run in the 10th inning after Alex Bregman tied it in the ninth, and the Houston Astros rallied for a 5-4 win over the Seattle Mariners.

HOUSTON – Houston Astros top prospect right-hander Forrest Whitley will have Tommy John surgery. Whitley was diagnosed with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow on Sunday after experiencing discomfort during a batting practice session last week. He received a second opinion before opting for the surgery this week. Baker did not have any additional details on when or where the surgery would be performed. “And so hopefully we can go do the operation and then his career can skyrocket from there once he’s ready.”

^ Keep Houston Press Free Support Us LocalCommunityJournalismI Support Support the independent voice of Houston and help keep the future of Houston Press free. So, the Astros did what they needed to do and signed free agent Jake Odorizzi reportedly to a two-year deal. And as cautious as the Astros have been about making significant signings in the offseason, they didn't have much choice. If he does, he could eat 130 to 150 innings for the Astros this season and be a quality replacement for Valdez. For now, the Astros will regroup without him and Valdez and hope Odorizzi can stabilize a lineup that has been shaken only a couple weeks into spring training.

New York starter Jordan Montgomery gave up two hits in three scoreless innings. Brubaker allowed two hits over two scoreless innings and Chase De Jong followed with two shutout innings. MARLINS 4, METS 4Miami starter Pablo Lopez gave up a hit and a walk over three scoreless innings. German Marquez scattered three hits and a walk over three scoreless innings for Colorado. Kansas City starter Jakob Junis pitched three innings and gave up one hit, a leadoff homer to Trent Grisham.

^ Keep Houston Press Free Support Us LocalCommunityJournalismI Support Support the independent voice of Houston and help keep the future of Houston Press free. His ability to stay healthy in the COVID-shortened season was as important for him as it was the Astros. Because of his injury history, it's difficult to imagine him completing an entire healthy season, which is why his importance to the rotation is a 50/50 proposition. Whitley still has killer stuff and remains the only serious pitching prospect for the Astros ready to play at the major-league level. If he can maintain control and, more critically, stay healthy, he has a chance to have a big impact on the Astros season.