Purke to join AFL soon, Rendon to stay at instructional league

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

October 04, 2011, 7:21am

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Left-hander Matt Purke, the former Texas Christian star, will join the Scottsdale Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League at the conclusion of fall instructional league in Viera, Fla., according to a Nationals source. Former Rice third baseman Anthony Rendon, however, will stay at instructional league for now, and the Nationals' future plans for him are not known. Rendon, the team's first-round selection in June's First-Year Player Draft, was previously announced as part of the Scorpions' roster. Also on the Scottsdale team are Bryce Harper, Derek Norris, Sammy Solis, Patrick Lehman, Zach Walters and Rafael Martin. The Scorpions open defense of their AFL title tonight against the Surprise Saguaros at 9:35 p.m. Eastern Time. Red Sox prospect Brock Huntzinger gets the opening night start. Due to where he is in his throwing regimen, Solis will start Thursday, the third game on the AFL schedule. Single-A Potomac Nationals pitching coach Paul Menhart is one Scottsdale's pitching coaches and Double-A Harrisburg Senators trainer Jeff Allred is also on the staff. Harper will be getting his first chance to play full-time in the league after playing on the taxi squad last season.