Purke optioned to Hagerstown

The Nationals optioned pitcher Matt Purke to low-Class A Hagerstown following today's game in Viera, a move that gives the left-hander a chance to continue his rehab from shoulder surgery in minor-league camp.

Purke, the organization's third-round pick in 2011, had surgery in August to clean up his shoulder and remove a couple of inflamed bursa sacs. He's currently restricted to two bullpen sessions per week, each thrown at 50 percent velocity, but he expects to ramp up his workload soon.

The Nationals plan for Purke -- who received a four-year, $4.15 million, big-league contract after he was drafted out of TCU -- to remain in Viera at extended spring training and then join the roster at Hagerstown in May or June. He'll be limited to 100 innings this season.

Purke's demotion today leaves 49 players in big-league camp, with 27 days still remaining until the Nationals' season opener against the Marlins.

Purke's slow-and-steady path back

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Matt Purke hasn't yet faced live hitters this spring.

It's been 367 days since Matt Purke took the mound at Space Coast Stadium in a Nationals uniform, handed the ball by Davey Johnson to pitch his team's 2012 exhibition opener against Georgetown University, and offered the entire organization reason to believe his path to the big leagues might be a quick one.

Purke, the highly touted left-hander from TCU drafted in 2011 and lured to professional ball by a four-year, $4.15 million, major-league contract, tossed three scoreless innings that afternoon against the Hoyas. More importantly, his shoulder felt strong after some questions about its stability during his final college season and the Arizona Fall League.

Put that all together, and the Nationals had legitimate visions of a fast track to the majors for a highly advanced pitching prospect.

Flash-forward one year, and Purke's path to Washington has all but ground to a halt. He appeared in only three games last season for low-Class A Hagerstown, he was roughed up to the tune of a 5.87 ERA and a 1.76 WHIP and his shoulder was barking once again.
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