After joining the Nationals in a June trade and appearing in only eight games with the team, right-hander David Carpenter will now test free agency.
The Nationals outrighted the veteran reliever off their 40-man roster on Wednesday to Triple-A Syracuse. He then elected to try his luck on the open market.
Carpenter, 30, began the 2015 season with the New York Yankees before joining the Nats in a deal for former second pick and infield prospect Tony Renda. Carpenter was solid through eight games with one run allowed through six innings before a shoulder injury derailed his season.