VIERA, Fla. -- Outfielder Elijah Dukes was released by the Washington Nationals on Wednesday, a sudden move with 2 1/2 weeks left in spring training.

"I don't know what to say. It felt a little funny," Dukes said told The Associated Press as he packed his car at the team hotel Wednesday afternoon. "I guess I wasn't expecting it. ... That's part of baseball. No big deal, no hard feelings. Just part of the game."

The 25-year-old Dukes was expected to be Washington's starting right fielder this season, but the Nationals announced the decision before their exhibition game at the Houston Astros.

Wednesday was the last day the Nationals could put him on waivers and pay him 30 days' termination pay at the minor league rate of his split contract instead of 45 days at the major league rate. So he is owed a little under $41,000, instead of about $109,000, which he would have been due had he been released later in spring training.

Manager Jim Riggleman, general manager Mike Rizzo and team president Stan Kasten all emphasized that the move was based on Dukes' performance and was not connected to any off-the-field issues. Rizzo, though, did say he thinks Dukes' departure improves the team's makeup.

"Elijah was great," Riggleman said. "He's done his work. He's got no issues. It's just a baseball decision."

Asked if any off-the-field incident could have precipitated his release, Dukes said: "Nothing happened. If something had happened, I'd know about it."

Indeed, while with Washington, Dukes appeared to have put his troubled past behind him. He had suspensions in the majors and the minors for various confrontations with umpires, coaches and teammates while in Tampa Bay's organization; arrests for assault and for marijuana possession; and paternity suits.