Capsules of National League East teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Washington Nationals2017: 97-65, first place, lost to Cubs in NLDS.Manager: Dave Martinez (first season).He's Here: 1B-OF Matt Adams, C Miguel Montero, RHP Jeremy Hellickson, RHP Joaquin Benoit, INF Matt Reynolds.He's Outta Here: Manager Dusty Baker, LF Jayson Werth, 1B-LF Adam Lind, C Jose Lobaton, RHP Matt Albers.Projected Lineup: SS Trea Turner (.284, 11 HRs, 45 RBIs, 46 SBs in 98 games), LF Adam Eaton (.297, 2, 13 in 23 games), RF Bryce Harper (.319, 29, 87), 3B Anthony Rendon (.301, 25, 100, 41 2Bs), 2B Daniel Murphy (.322, 23, 93, 43 2Bs; expected to begin season on DL recovering from knee surgery), 1B Ryan Zimmerman (.303, 36, 108, 33 2Bs), CF Michael A. Taylor (.271, 19, 53), C Matt Wieters (.225, 10, 52).Rotation: RH Max Scherzer (16-6, 2.51 ERA, NL-high 268 Ks, 200 2/3 IP, 3rd Cy Young Award), RH Stephen Strasburg (15-4, 2.52, 204 Ks), LH Gio Gonzalez (15-9, 2.96, 79 walks), RH Tanner Roark (13-11,... [More]

Capsules of National League East teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Washington Nationals2017: 97-65, first place, lost to Cubs in NLDS.Manager: Dave Martinez (first season).He's Here: 1B-OF Matt Adams, C Miguel Montero, RHP Jeremy Hellickson, RHP Joaquin Benoit, INF Matt Reynolds.He's Outta Here: Manager Dusty Baker, LF Jayson Werth, 1B-LF Adam Lind, C Jose Lobaton, RHP Matt Albers.Projected Lineup: SS Trea Turner (.284, 11 HRs, 45 RBIs, 46 SBs in 98 games), LF Adam Eaton (.297, 2, 13 in 23 games), RF Bryce Harper (.319, 29, 87), 3B Anthony Rendon (.301, 25, 100, 41 2Bs), 2B Daniel Murphy (.322, 23, 93, 43 2Bs; expected to begin season on DL recovering from knee surgery), 1B Ryan Zimmerman (.303, 36, 108, 33 2Bs), CF Michael A. Taylor (.271, 19, 53), C Matt Wieters (.225, 10, 52).Rotation: RH Max Scherzer (16-6, 2.51 ERA, NL-high 268 Ks, 200 2/3 IP, 3rd Cy Young Award), RH Stephen Strasburg (15-4, 2.52, 204 Ks), LH Gio Gonzalez (15-9, 2.96, 79 walks), RH Tanner Roark (13-11,... [More]

Capsules of National League East teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Washington Nationals2017: 97-65, first place, lost to Cubs in NLDS.Manager: Dave Martinez (first season).He's Here: 1B-OF Matt Adams, C Miguel Montero, RHP Jeremy Hellickson, RHP Joaquin Benoit, INF Matt Reynolds.He's Outta Here: Manager Dusty Baker, LF Jayson Werth, 1B-LF Adam Lind, C Jose Lobaton, RHP Matt Albers.Projected Lineup: SS Trea Turner (.284, 11 HRs, 45 RBIs, 46 SBs in 98 games), LF Adam Eaton (.297, 2, 13 in 23 games), RF Bryce Harper (.319, 29, 87), 3B Anthony Rendon (.301, 25, 100, 41 2Bs), 2B Daniel Murphy (.322, 23, 93, 43 2Bs, expected to begin season on DL recovering from knee surgery), 1B Ryan Zimmerman (.303, 36, 108, 33 2Bs), CF Michael A. Taylor (.271, 19, 53), C Matt Wieters (.225, 10, 52).Rotation: RH Max Scherzer (16-6, 2.51 ERA, NL-high 268 Ks, 200 2/3 IP, 3rd Cy Young Award), RH Stephen Strasburg (15-4, 2.52, 204 Ks), LH Gio Gonzalez (15-9, 2.96, 79 walks), RH Tanner Roark (13-11,... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League East entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:___Washington NationalsManager: Dave Martinez (first season).2017: 97-65, first place, lost to Chicago Cubs in NLDS.Training Town: West Palm Beach, Florida.Park: The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.First Workout: Feb. 16/21.He's Here: 1B-OF Matt Adams, C Miguel Montero.He's Outta Here: Manager Dusty Baker, LF Jayson Werth, C Jose Lobaton, 1B-LF Adam Lind, RHP Matt Albers.Going campin': It's become an all-too-familiar story for the Nationals and their fans: terrific regular season, followed by quick playoff exit, followed by a managerial change. Martinez will be the latest skipper to try to lead the club to postseason success — and GM Mike Rizzo has made it clear that ownership expects nothing less than a World Series championship. Martinez has been Joe Maddon's right-hand man with the Chicago... [More]

Purke re-signed with the Nationals on a minor league contract that includes an invite to spring training.

Purke spent last season at Double-A Harrisburg, struggling his way to a 1-6 record in eight starts. In those starts, he posted a 8.04 ERA and 1.92 WHIP over 31.1 innings while striking out just 22 compared to 18 walks.

Purke was released by the Nationals on Friday, SB Nation's Chris Cotillo reports.

Purke was selected in the third round of the 2011 draft, but his prospect shine has completely faded, and he can now be discarded in the vast majority of dynasty formats.

Nationals recalled LHP Matt Purke from Double-A Harrisburg; placed him on the 60-day disabled list with a left elbow injury.

The move clears a spot on the Nationals' 40-man roster. Purke had Tommy John surgery in late May and will be sidelined until around midseason next year.

Matt Purke is scheduled to undergo Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery on Thursday.

That was the recommendation after a visit this week with Dr. James Andrews, who will perform the elbow surgery on Thursday. Purke, 23, was a third-round pick of the Nationals in the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft.

Nationals prospect left-hander Matt Purke will visit Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion on his throwing elbow.

The exact nature of the injury isn't yet known. Purke, 23, has been dogged by injuries dating back to college and owns an ugly 8.04 ERA through eight starts this season in Double-A.

Nationals right-handed pitching prospect Matt Purke threw six shutout innings for Double-A Harrisburg on Wednesday, allowing two singles and two walks while striking out three batters.

Purke was hit pretty hard in his first five starts of the season, so it is good to see his having a good outing. It would be unlikely to see Purke make a contribution to the major league team before 2015, but he could see some time in Washington as a September call-up if he keeps pitching well.

Nationals prospect LHP Matt Purke was knocked around in his Double-A debut on Sunday, allowing seven runs on nine hits and a walk in three innings.

Purke, 23, was moved up to Double-A Harrisburg despite a dismal showing during the spring in major league camp. Last year, the left-hander posted a 3.80 ERA and 82/25 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 90 innings between both Class-A levels. Considering he's signed to a major league contract through the 2014 season, this will likely be Purke's final year to contribute in the major leagues before hitting free agency.

Matt Purke has been promoted to High-A Potomac.

The 22-year-old lefty posted a 2.48 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 41/7 K/BB ratio in 29 innings this season at Low-A Hagerstown. Purke was a third-round pick in 2011 and should rise quickly through the Nationals' farm system now that he is healed from August 2012 shoulder surgery.

Nationals prospect left-hander Matt Purke has been activated from the disabled list with Class A Hagerstown.

Purke had shoulder surgery last August and has yet to pitch in the minors this year. A third-round pick in 2011, the 22-year-old left-hander had a 5.87 ERA in three starts with Hagerstown prior to the surgery last year. He has shown serious potential in the past, so the Nats are hopeful that he still has some upside left.

Nationals optioned LHP Matt Purke to Low-A Hagerstown.

Purke is still recovering from August shoulder surgery and will continue his rehab over in minor league camp. A third-round pick in 2011, he is currently throwing two bullpen sessions per week at about 50 percent velocity.

Nationals prospect left-hander Matthew Purke had shoulder surgery in August.

Purke had surgery to relieve bursitis and clean out scar tissue. While he slipped in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft due to concerns over his shoulder, he was assured that his labrum and rotator cuff are in "excellent" condition. The 22-year-old left-hander is expected to be fully healthy for spring training. Purke pitched in just three games with Low-A Hagerstown this season, posting a 5.87 ERA and 14/12 K/BB ratio over 15 1/3 innings.

Nationals prospect Matt Purke is on the minor league disabled list due to shoulder tendinitis.

A recent visit with Dr. Lewis Yocum ruled out structural damage, but there is no timetable for Purke's return. The 21-year-old lefty had a number of health issues coming out of college and has carried them into his pro career.