ruled that Townsend's return to school terminated the Orioles' right to negotiate a contract. He re-entered the draft in 2005 and was again taken eighth overall, this time by the Devil Rays. Professional career Townsend's professional debut came at Class A Short-Season Hudson Valley, . He finished the season 0–4 with a 5.49 ERA in 12 appearances, including 10 starts. He pitched in the Arizona Fall League in the 2005 off season. In fall of 2005 Townsend underwent Tommy John surgery on his elbow. In fall 2008, Townsend was again sent to the Arizona Fall League, where he lasted only innings and gave up 12 runs before he was sidelined with shoulder problems. Townsend underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum and ended up in rehab for most of the 2010 season. After an atrocious half-season in the independent leagues, Townsend retired in late 2010. Poker career Townsend began playing poker professionally while at Rice University in the fall of 2004, after turning down a $2.2 million signing bonus from the Baltimore Orioles in order to finish his degree. In the offseason he has competed in World Series of Poker tournaments since 2011 while residing internationally to play in the offseason. References External links BISCUITS BASEBALL: Townsend hopes to throw with a full deck 1983 births Living people Baseball players from Austin, Texas Rice Owls baseball players Wareham Gatemen players Gulf Coast Rays players Hudson Valley Renegades players Columbus Catfish players Montgomery Biscuits players Vero Beach Devil Rays players Laredo Broncos players All-American college baseball players