Nationals release Matt Purke

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

November 14, 2014, 6:08am

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The Nationals have released touted left-hander Matt Purke, according to the team's transactions page. Purke, the Nationals' No. 10 prospect, had recently been activated from the 60-day disabled list. The current 40-man roster lists 39 players.

Purke was a third-round selection out of Texas Christian University in the 2011 draft and had signed a major league deal worth close to $4.2 million. He did not pitch much at the pro level in 2014, going 1-6 with an 8.04 ERA in eight starts for Double-A Harrisburg this season, pitching in only 31 1/3 innings. He had lost his first five starts this season before bouncing back May 7 with his only win at Richmond.

He finished 7-12 with a 5.00 ERA in 29 starts over 136 2/3 innings for three teams, never getting above the Double-A level due in large part to several injuries over the years that slowed his development. He underwent elbow ligament replacement surgery on May 29. He had also had major shoulder surgery in 2012.

The hope is two southpaw starters on the 40-man roster, Felipe Rivero and Sammy Solis, can shore up the depth from the left side.

Solis also had Tommy John surgery in 2012 and battled injuries again in 2014, limiting him to five games. Rivero has allowed only one run in his last two starts in the Arizona Fall League.

Hector Silvestre also made 24 starts between two teams in the system this past season, pitching 119 2/3 innings.