Kobayashi Released

Indians have supposedly released right-handed pitcher Masa Kobayashi today. The timing of this is interesting as it may mean a 40-man roster spot is needed to add a player from Columbus who is not on the 40-man roster who they want to promote to Cleveland (Andy Marte? Jordan Brown?). Or, maybe they need the roster spot to add some players they may be getting in a trade. Of course, it may be that they just want to move on and finally released him. Roster is now at 38 players.

Edit: Something also to consider.....the move could also be to make room for the PTBNL in the DeRosa trade. There was already room for one player, but maybe they decided on the player AND will be calling up Marte. I mean, the PTBNL is likely to be a pitcher....and they released a pitcher.

Edit: Nevermind. Supposedly he was already off the 40-man roster. But the confusing part of that is there was never an official DFA. Back when the Indians added David Huff to the roster in mid-May they just took Kobayashi off the roster and outrighted him to the minors, which never happens as there is a waiver process usually when DFAing someone. 'Tis the confusion if he was on the 40-man still or not. Apologies. In any case, bottom line, Masa is still officially sayonara.;-)