Forrest Whitley, formerly a top pitching prospect, has struggled through another injury-plagued season.

The right-hander was diagnosed with a lat strain at the start of June, an injury that has left him unlikely to pitch again this year.

Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown pushed back against the notion that the 25-year-old had suffered a setback but conceded he hasn't been able to "get over the hump" in his rehab.

Initially added to the 40-man roster before the 2021 season, Whitley has yet to make it to the Major Leagues. He has spent the past three years on optional assignment to the minors.

Most players can be optioned to the minors in a maximum of three separate seasons. After that, the team is required to keep the player on the Major League roster or take him off the 40-man entirely -- thereby making him available to other teams via trade or waivers. 

Brown said the Astros will petition MLB for a fourth option season on Whitley.

That's available in the case of players who have exhausted their options before logging five full professional seasons -- defined as 90+ days on a minor league or MLB active roster.