The Dodgers have released former first-round draft choice James Adkins, a left-handed pitcher.

Selected 39th overall in the 2007 MLB amateur draft out of Tennessee, Adkins had a 2.42 ERA in his first season of Class A ball with Great Lakes, but struggled with his control thereafter. A conversion from starting to relief did not seem to help. In 2010, the 25-year-old had a 4.76 ERA with Double-A Chattanooga, striking out 50 but walking 23.

Adkins had been selected as a compensation pick for the free-agent departure of Julio Lugo. Here’s a link to guest posts by Canuck Dodger and Nate Purcell on Dodger Thoughts regarding the 2007 draft.

The Dodgers also released former major leaguer Juan Rincon, who spent 10 years with Minnesota, Cleveland, Detroit and Colorado, along with pitcher Antonio Castillo, catcher Orlando Mercado and infielders Steven Caseres and Michael Richard.

The news was first reported by Matt Eddy of Baseball America.