The Los Angeles Dodgers suffered a setback as one of their key relief pitchers from the minor leagues is no longer with them. Mark Washington, a right-handed pitcher who proved his reliability as a reliever for Triple-A Oklahoma City last season, has inked a minor league contract with the Houston Astros.

Washington himself confirmed the agreement through his Twitter/X account.

Since 2017, Mark Washington, aged 27, has been part of the Los Angeles Dodgers organization after being selected in the 25th round from Lehigh University. Over the years, he steadily progressed through the ranks of the minor leagues, culminating in his first full season at the Triple-A level in 2023. During this season, he made 30 appearances as a reliever, achieving a 4-1 record with a 3.69 ERA and a 1.209 WHIP.

Throughout his career, Washington has amassed an impressive track record, boasting a 22-9 record with a 3.09 ERA, 262 strikeouts, and a 1.24 WHIP. Over 271 innings and 156 appearances, he’s held hitters to a .229 average. Additionally, he has seven starts to his name in the minor leagues.

It’s regrettable that Washington won’t have the opportunity to make his major league debut with the Dodgers. Every aspiring baseball player dreams of reaching the pinnacle of the sport, and perhaps the Houston Astros will provide Washington with the platform he needs to fulfill that dream.