The Astros signed Willingham to a minor-league contract Nov. 28.

EDGE Analysis

Willingham, 27, spent the 2025 season in the minors in the Atlanta organization, collecting a 5.17 ERA and 64:18 K:BB over 55.2 frames. The righty has a 7.11 ERA over 19 appearances at the big-league level and will give the Astros some experienced relief depth at Triple-A Sugar Land.

Atlanta released Willingham (undisclosed) on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

A waiver pickup from Washington in January, Willingham failed to win a spot in Atlanta's Opening Day bullpen and began the season at Triple-A Gwinnett. He made two relief appearances and gave up one earned run on six hits and three walks while striking out five over 4.2 innings before landing on Gwinnett's 7-day injured list April 4. Atlanta hasn't shed light on the nature of Willingham's injury, but he'll now be moved off the 40-man roster as the big club looks to clear a spot for right-hander Nathan Wiles, whose contract was selected from Gwinnett in a corresponding move.

Atlanta optioned Willingham to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander was claimed off waivers from Washington in January but was never a likely bet to make Atlanta's Opening Day roster. Willingham made one appearance in the big leagues last season and had a 3.69 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 71:31 K:BB across 68.1 innings at the Triple-A level.

Atlanta claimed Willingham off waivers from the Nationals on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Willingham had been designated for assignment and is now on the move to another 40-man roster in the NL East. The 26-year-old has made 19 appearances in the majors since the start of the 2023 season, collecting a 7.11 ERA and 16:9 K:BB across 25.1 frames.

The Nationals designated Willingham for assignment Saturday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Jorge Lopez (groin) signing a one-year deal with the Nats on Saturday, Willingham will end up as the odd man out of a roster spot. The 26-year-old righty spent most of his time with Triple-A Rochester last season, where he logged a 3.69 ERA and 1.35 WHIP alongside a 71:31 K:BB across 68.1 innings.

The Nationals optioned Willingham to Triple-A Rochester on Friday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

He made one appearance during his brief time with the big club, allowing two runs over an inning of work. Willingham is being cleared out to make room for Jose Ferrer in the Nationals' bullpen.

The Nationals recalled Willingham from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Willingham joins the Washington bullpen as a replacement for right-hander Hunter Harvey, who was traded to the Royals on Saturday. The 25-year-old Willingham has pitched exclusively at Rochester this season, logging a 4.54 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over 39.2 innings. He'll likely be ticketed for low-leverage relief work while he's up with the Nationals.

The Nationals are expected to call up Willingham from Triple-A Rochester, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

A 26-man roster spot opened up Friday night when Washington traded reliever Hunter Harvey to Kansas City in exchange for a minor-league infielder, and it seems as though Willingham will fill that hole. Although Harvey worked as a setup man, Willingham isn't likely to handle high-leverage work considering he's logged a 4.54 ERA across 39.2 innings for Rochester this season.

Willingham was optioned to Triple-A Rochester following Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Athletics.

EDGE Analysis

Willingham was called up Friday, but he failed to appear in any of the team's three contests against the A's before returning to the minors. The right-hander will now have to wait for his next chance to join the major-league roster while left-hander Mitchell Parker will take his roster spot with Washington.

Willingham was recalled from Triple-A Rochester by the Nationals on Friday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Nationals will still need to bring up a starter early next week to face the Dodgers, but in the meantime Willingham will give the bullpen a fresh arm. The 25-year-old collected a 6.66 ERA and 15:9 K:BB over 24.1 innings during his time in the majors last season.