The New York Mets announced they have signed left-handed pitcher Matt Purke to a minor league deal with an invite to major league Spring Training.

Purke, 27, had a 3.84 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 11.0 K.9 during the 2017 season pitching for the Triple-A Charlotte Knights of the Chicago White Sox organization. In 65.2 innings he allowed 61 hits, walked 28, struck 80 and only allowed four home runs.

The former third round pick of the Washington Nationals in 2011 made his major league debut in 2016 with the White Sox posting a 5.50 ERA in 18 innings.

Purke, former starter at TCU, held lefties to a .192/.314/.222 slash line in 2017 and was the Texas Rangers first round pick in 2009 but did not sign.

He underwent shoulder debridement surgery in 2012 and then needed Tommy John surgery in May 2014. He was listed by Baseball Prospectus as the No. 91 prospect in baseball going into the 2012 season.

Purke is most known for having an agreement a pre-draft agreement for a $6 million signing bonus with the Rangers in 2009 out of high school but it was squashed by MLB. He ended up getting a $2.75 million bonus from the Nats in addition to a four-year major league deal worth $4.15 million.

Purke now features a fastball in the low 90’s with a solid slider and splitter he uses as his change.