Nationals release left-hander Purke

WASHINGTON -- The Nationals released left-hander Matt Purke on Friday, which means he is off their 40-man roster.

A third-round pick in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, Purke was released because the team felt he would not make an impact on the Major League squad in 2015.

Purke has been injury-prone since he was drafted by the team, going through shoulder and elbow problems. In fact, he had Tommy John surgery in late May. Purke played a total of 29 Minor League games and went 7-12 with a 5.00 ERA. He last played for Double-A Harrisburg this past season.

Purke will be on release waivers. If he is not picked up by another club, the Nats will have the option of re-signing him to a Minor League deal.