Orlando, FL -- (Sports Network) - The Washington Nationals released veteran first baseman Travis Lee before the team's spring training game against Atlanta on Sunday.

Lee requested and received his unconditional release after informing Nationals general manager Jim Bowden that he did not have the passion to play any longer.

Lee is a career .256 hitter with 115 home runs and 488 RBI in nine major league seasons with Arizona, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay and the New York Yankees.

He's best known for his fielding prowess, however. Lee has a .997 career fielding percentage at first base.

In other roster moves, the Nationals optioned right-handed pitcher Joel Hanrahan to their Triple-A affiliate in Columbus and outrighted right-handed pitcher Tim Redding to Columbus. Redding has the ability to decide whether to accept that assignment or become a free agent.

Washington also reassigned second baseman Joe Thurston to minor league camp.