NEW YORK — The White Sox purchased the contract of left-hander Matt Purke from Class AAA Charlotte to take the roster spot of right-hander Scott Carroll, who was optioned to Charlotte Thursday.
The club also requested waivers on left-hander John Danks for the purpose of granting him his unconditional release. Danks, in the final year of a five-year, $65 million contract, was designated for assignment on May 5 after struggling with a 7.25 ERA and four losses in his first four starts.
Purke, 25, has no major league experience. He had no decisions while pitching to a 2.30 ERA over 15 2/3 innings at Charlotte, with 14 strikeouts covering 10 appearances. Nine of his outings were in relief.
A third-round draft pick by the Washington Nationals in 2011, Purke is 10-18 with a 4.62 ERA in five minor-league seasons between the Nats and Sox, who signed him as a minor-league free agent in November.
“I didn’t see it coming,” Purke said. “It’s what we play for and my dream of being a professional baseball player in the big leagues finally came true. It was a very exciting moment for me, my family and everyone who has been a part of this journey. It’s been a long one. It hasn’t been easy, it hasn’t been short and now it’s time to enjoy it.”
Lefties were 1-for-9 against Purke, who will likely be used in long relief while he’s here and move lefty Dan Jennings into a later, situational role.
“I think especially these guys [Yankees], with the lefties that they do have — a lot of switch-hitters but with the lefties they have — and as short as it is to right field, it’s good to have him,” manager Robin Ventura said.The Sox also have lefty Zach Duke in the bullpen.Purke notfied his family in Texas on Thursday, and many of them were on a plane for New York Friday moring.
“They’re here for the weekend,” Purke said of his wife, parents, brother, sister-in-law, niece and nephew, wife’s parents and other family and friends. “It’s going to be fun.
“It’s been a crazy 24 hours.”
Purke will wear uniform No. 64. The Sox 40-man roster is at 39.
Matt Purke poses during spring training photo day at Camelback Ranch on February 27, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
