UPDATED: Astros pitching prospect Forrest Whitley leaves Hooks game in first inning

Len Hayward | Corpus Christi

Show Caption Hide Caption Astros prospect Forrest Whitley dominating in return to Corpus Christi Hooks Astros pitching prospect Forrest Whitley returned to the Hooks and threw four stellar innings.

Houston Astros top pitching prospect Forrest Whitley left in the first inning of Thursday’s Hooks game at Whataburger with a left oblique injury.

Whitley threw a pitch to Arkansas’ Joey Curletta with two outs in the first inning Thursday and then motioned for the team's trainer to come to the mound. A few minutes later, Whitley made his way back to the Hooks clubhouse with trainer John Gregorich.

Whitley threw 17 pitches prior to his departure, 10 of which were for strikes.

The start was Whitley’s first since the Texas League All-Star break. He had an 0-1 record with a 4.43 earned-run average and 29 strikeouts in 20.1 innings.

Hooks manager Omar Lopez said after Thursday's game he had not received a complete report from the Hooks trainer John Gregorich on the extent of Whitley's injury, saying "it was left-side discomfort and as a precaution took him out of the game."

On Friday it was confirmed that Whitley had a left oblique injury and is listed as day to day.

Lopez said Whitley had not had an injury issues or discomfort over the last few days.

On Friday, Whitley was named to the Major League Baseball Futures Game along with Hooks outfielder and Astros prospect Yordan Alvarez. Alvarez was also promoted to Triple-A Fresno on Friday. The Futures Game is scheduled for July 15 at Nationals Park in Washington D.C.

Whitley's early exit drew some quick reactions from fans across social media on Thursday.

Nope refusing to accept Forrest Whitley is hurt and I won't get to see him pitch in the Futures Game https://t.co/clujE2i1dh — DJ (@SwerdCenter) July 6, 2018

Another setback for the @astros #1 pitching prospect. https://t.co/B2gfYPPok8 — Season Tickets by Larry Manch (@SeasonTickets_) July 6, 2018

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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