Dodgers release Yhency Brazoban

Can’t say it’s much of a surprise, as it had been heading this way for a long, long time. Yes, he had arm problems and couldn’t stay healthy. But club officials were more exasperated by his inability (or unwillingness) to keep himself in good physical condition. He has been dramatically heavier the past couple of years than he was in 2005, when he was the Dodgers’ fill-in closer for a time and actually handled the role pretty well. You may recall he had been non-tendered last winter and re-signed to a minor-league deal, a clear indication that no other team really wanted him, either. This could be the end of his baseball career. Or not. We’ll see. … By the way, we have clarification on Lindblom. He’s going to get a long look, but it’s more to gauge his readiness for an in-season callup. He really doesn’t have much of a chance to be on the opening-day roster, especially given that he has exactly one career appearance at anything above Single-A and most players his age are still trying to earn their way TO A-ball. He does, however, have a decent chance of being in the majors sometime this year if he can take advantage of this opportunity, something he started when he retired six of the seven batters he faced on Monday against Oakland.