Whitley (elbow) underwent successful Tommy John surgery Tuesday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Manager Joe Girardi revealed that Whitley's elbow ligament was found to be almost completely torn, but the skipper also said everything went smoothly with the procedure. Whitley now faces what is typically a 12-16 month rehab process, meaning a return in 2016 is by no means guaranteed.

Whitley (elbow) is scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery Tuesday, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports.

Whitley was initially diagnosed with a right elbow strain, but after further examination, it was determined that the right-hander will need Tommy John surgery, effectively placing him on the shelf for a full calendar year. The announcement likely means Chris Capuano will hang on to his rotation spot in the short term. Masahiro Tanaka, who tossed a bullpen session Monday, could eventually displace the lefty, however. Whitley will finish his 2015 season with a 1-2 record, 4.19 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 19.1 innings. Team physician Chris Ahmad will perform the surgery.

Whitley (elbow) will undergo further examination by the team's physician Monday, the NY Post reports.

After initially labeling the injury a right elbow strain, the team later changed Whitley's diagnosis to a sprain, which could be a more significant injury. There's no timetable or clear schedule as of yet, but more should become available after visiting with the team's doctor.

Whitley's injury is now being labeled as a right elbow sprain, Sweeny Murti of Sportsradio 66 WFAN reports.

Initial reports had Whitley hitting the DL with a right elbow strain, but the Yankees corrected the wording shortly thereafter. A sprain, by definition, is a tear, so it's sounding like Whitley could be facing an extended absence.

Whitley was placed on the 15-day DL on Friday with a right elbow strain, Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News reports.

Right-hander Jose Ramirez was recalled in a corresponding move with Chris Capuano (quad) tabbed as Whitley's replacement in the rotation beginning Wednesday. The diagnosis of a strain would seem to suggest no ligament damage was found in Whitley's MRI, but he is without an estimated timetable for a return.

Whitley will undergo an MRI on his right elbow, Wallace Matthews of ESPN New York reports.

Whitley struggled to record five outs Thursday, and was stuck with three runs on his ledger after Esmil Rogers allowed two inherited runs to score. The elbow injury is of more concern for New York, though Whitley's status won't be known until the MRI results come back. Chris Capuano (quad) could be an option to start Wednesday against the Nationals if Whitley is unable to go.

Whitley left Thursday's start in the second inning with an undisclosed injury, MArk Feinsand of New York Daily News reports.

Whitley struggled in his first couple innings, allowing three runs on two hits and two walks after replacement Esmil Rogers allowed a home run with two runners of his responsibility on base. The team will likely update his status at some point in the near future, but he should be considered day-to-day until then.

Whitley got tagged for five runs on six hits (including three home runs) and two walks in 5.2 innings Saturday, striking out five.

After a couple of excellent outings, Whitley fell back to earth with a thud on Saturday. His 16:3 K:BB ratio in 17.2 innings is still promising, however, and his next outing with come in Tampa against a Rays squad that he held in check in his first start after being called up.

Whitley struck out six and did not walk a batter while holding the Jays scoreless over seven innings Monday night.

He dueled with R.A. Dickey and came away without a decision, but it was an impressive start for Whitley in a very difficult road environment. Whitley was efficient Monday, throwing 65 of his 90 pitches for strikes and generating 10 of his 15 contact outs on the ground. He'll make his next start Saturday against the Orioles at Yankee Stadium.

Whitley will stay in the major league rotation, the NY Post reports.

Whitley was originally called up to make a spot starter and then likely go back down to the minors, but with Masahiro Tanaka headed to the disabled list for at least a month, Whitley will fill the empty spot in the rotation. He pitched well in his first start Tuesday, giving up just one run with five strikeouts over five innings in the win over the Rays. Whitley is in line to make his next start Monday against the Blue Jays.

Whitley made his first start of the season Tuesday for the Yankees against the Rays, only allowing one earned run in five innings and striking out five batters to earn the win.

Whitley was called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre on Tuesday to make a start while the other Yankees starters rested. His stint in the majors may not last long but this one outing was impressive. In 12 starts for the Yankees last year, he had a FIP of 4.14 and an ERA of 5.23.

Whitley was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre on Tuesday to start against the Tigers, MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reports.

Whitley's stint in the majors may not last long, as Yankees manager Joe Girardi is simply looking to add a temporary sixth starter to give his other pitchers some extra rest. While off to a strong start in the minors this season, Whitley will be facing much tougher competition in Tuesday's matchup with the first-place Tigers.

Whitley is expected to start for the Yankees on Tuesday, Sweeny Murti of Sportsradio 66 WFAN reports.

Whitley has had a strong start to the season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre, posting a 2.12 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with 13 strikeouts in 17 innings. Manager Joe Girardi indicated a desire to have a six-man rotation at some points this season, and it appears he will employ that this week, pushing back Masahiro Tanaka to Wednesday.

Whitley could be a candidate for a big league start this week against the Tigers, The Westchester Journal News reports.

With the injury history to the Yankees starting rotation, manager Joe Girardi acknowledged the possibility that he may turn to a six-man rotation at some points this season. Whitley has pitched well in two Triple-A starts this year, posting a 2.45 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 11 innings, and would be lined up for a start later in the week should he get called up.

Whitley was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre on Thursday.

Whitley posted a commendable 1.17 ERA and 1.04 WHIP over 15.1 innings this spring, but it wasn't enough for the right-hander to lock down the Yankees' No. 5 starter job. It appears this role will instead go to Adam Warren, with Whitley likely to be one of the first options for call-up when a need for a spot start arises.

Whitley will be considered for the No. 5 start in the rotation, the NY Daily News reports.

Whitley was initially looked at as either a bullpen option for the big league club or as a starter in the minors, but with the injury of Chris Capuano the Yankees now have another slot in the rotation available. The 25-year-old will be in competition with Adam Warren and Esmil Rogers, but it's possible he begins the season at Triple-A rather than go to the bullpen if he doesn't win the job.

Whitley will likely begin the season as either a long reliever in the majors or a starter in the minors, the YES Network reports.

Whitley was brought up through the minors as a reliever, but started 12 games for the big league club last year after a rash of injuries to their rotation. He'll get the start for Tuesday's Grapefruit League action against the Orioles after tossing two scoreless innings in his first spring appearance. Whichever level he starts the season at, Whitley could be a candidate for the occasional spot start in the majors.

Whitley was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Whitley's major league career got off to a hot start with a 3-0 record and 2.56 ERA over seven outings, but he quickly tailed off after that, ultimately received a demotion to the bullpen before he was bumped to the minors. He'll function as a long reliever for the Yankees as they make a bid for a Wild Card spot in September.

Whitley was sent down to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, the New York Post reports.

The move comes in response to the Yankees calling up Zelous Wheeler, who will serve as the DH on Thursday. Whitley has worked out of the bullpen for the past month, making just three appearances in the month of August. While he was perfect in 1.0 inning Wednesday, Wheeler gave up five hits and four earned runs in his previous appearance on August 11.

Chase Whitley has been moved to the Yankees' bullpen.

Chris Capuano is taking Whitley's spot in the rotation. Left-handed batters are hitting .319/.360/.482 against Whitley this season, as he's always been better suited for a relief role.