Rudy Seanez released

The move was made last night when the team arrived in Los Angeles. This is a bit of a shocker. He wasn't having a great spring. He had a 7.71 ERA in five appearances, but most of us had simply assumed he was on the team. Rudy had considered retirement a year ago before the Dodgers signed him to a minor-league deal, and he was going to retire last spring if he hadn't made the team, so my guess is that's what he'll do now. He's 38 and has had a nice career, in the majors off and on since 1989. ... I'm GUESSING this was done to clear a 40-man roster spot because the roster was full, and there probably will be another spot or two cleared in the next couple of days. Chan Ho Park is going to make the team as a long reliever, so he'll need to be added, and Ramon Martinez has a shot, too. But this still leaves one more bullpen opening that could go to any one of a number of guys, including Brian Falkenborg, Mike Myers or Mike Koplove. It could mean a trade is coming. Or, it could just mean they're planning on beginning the season with an 11-man staff because they won't need a fifth starter until April 8, the eighth game of the season. In fact, that is probably the most logical explanation for now. That probably means Chin-lung Hu makes the club as an extra infielder and a hedge in case both Nomar and Kent start the season on the DL. ... Rudy had a $550,000 base salary and a $150,000 roster bonus, which basically meant it would cost the Dodgers only $550,000 if they released him before opening day. But because they released him before Friday, the deadline for requesting unconditional release waivers, the club only owes him 45 days' pay, which according to my calculations is $137,500.