Rays Release Wade Townsend

Joe Smith of the St. Petersburg Times reports that the Rays released former first round pick Wade Townsend. The 26-year-old righty has struggled with injuries since the Rays selected him 8th overall in 2005. He pitched poorly in limited action at Rookie ball this year and never put together an impressive season in the minors. The Rays chose Townsend when Andrew McCutchen, Jay Bruce and Jacoby Ellsbury were available, but they do have Matt Garza, who the Twins selected in the first round that year.