Nats re-sign Purke to minor league deal (updated with quotes)

Three days after releasing Matt Purke, the Nationals announced that they have re-signed the left-hander to a minor league deal and invited him to major league spring training. Releasing Purke allowed the Nats to remove him from their 40-man roster. This is good news that the Nationals can still have Purke in the organization as he completes his rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery. The 24-year-old Purke was limited to eight starts in 2014, going 1-6 with an 8.04 ERA. His career has been slowed by shoulder and elbow injuries. In the release, general manager Mike Rizzo said "we are excited to keep Matt in the organization and to keep his rehab on track. We look forward to seeing him rebound from his surgery during the upcoming season." The Nationals have had experience nurturing pitchers back from Tommy John surgery, including 2012 top draft pick Lucas Giolito, who is on track to move up to high Single-A Potomac this upcoming season. Update: Purke said he is excited to stay with the Nationals and be able to get the invite to spring training. "Between our camp and Mike Rizzo, we had a mutual interest to work it out," Purke said. "I wanted to stay. The Nationals have taken really good care of me." He said he is recovering well from Tommy John surgery and will be able to pick up and throw a baseball in December. "Everything feels good," Purke said. "I have been progressing really, really well since the surgery. I should be able to start throwing in the next couple of weeks, then I can start the throwing program and make my progressions from there." Purke said he does not feel sorry for himself after all the injury setbacks he has battled through. He said he's positive he can return to his pre-injury form and even pitch better. "Nobody wishes that injuries happen, but it's a part of life," Purke said. "It is just a bump across the road. It hasn't changed who I am or what I am able to do when I am performing the way I know I can. I know I can get back to the level where I can be really, really successful."