NEW YORK — The Rays made an interesting addition to their relief corps on Friday, acquiring former first-round pick Forrest Whitley from Houston for cash.

Whitley, 27, was designated for assignment earlier this week by the Astros, having made five appearances, allowing 10 runs (nine hits, six walks) over 7 1/3 innings.

Since Whitley is out of options, the Rays will have to make room on the 26-man active roster when he reports, which is expected to be Monday in Tampa. The Rays had an open slot to add him to the 40-man roster.

Whitley, the No. 17 pick in the 2016 draft, was once considered among the top starting pitcher prospects in the game.

But a series of injuries, including Tommy John surgery that wiped out his 2020-21 seasons, and a 50-game suspension in 2018 for violating the minor-league drug program, reportedly for taking a stimulant, sidetracked his progress.

He ended up pitching only 10 2/3 innings over eight games in the majors for Houston.

Rays baseball operations president Erik Neander told Tom Krasniqi on WDAE radio Friday that they consider Whitley a “classic change of scenery” candidate who is “worth a shot.”

Ailment updates

The Rays announced that infielder Ha-Seong Kim has right hamstring tightness and has been pulled off his 20-day rehab assignment at Triple-A Durham, which was due to end Saturday.

Kim isn’t expected to be out long, so after sitting out the required five days, he is likely to head back to Durham, where he gets a new 20-day rehab window.

Neander also said on WDAE that imaging on reliever Manny Rodriguez’s right elbow showed no ligament damage and with rest and treatment he could return in about three weeks.

This story will be updated.

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