Dodgers release Kevin Gregg

The Dodgers on Wednesday released pitcher Kevin Gregg, who nearly made the opening day roster over the weekend as a non-roster invitee. Gregg was reassigned to minor league camp after Saturday's game against the Angels, but rather than report to Triple-A Albuquerque he is now a free agent.

Gregg had no immediate out clause in his contract, so the Dodgers were under no obligation to release him. It is unknown whether or not Gregg refused to report to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Gregg, who turns 34 in June, had a 4.95 ERA in 40 games for the Orioles in 2012, but he was released on Sep. 14 when Baltimore was in the middle of a pennant race. Over the last three years Gregg had a 4.21 ERA, but his 5.21 walks per nine innings ranks 402nd among the 411 pitchers with at least 100 innings during that span.

All of that made Gregg's stellar spring remarkable, and nearly landed him a spot in the Dodgers bullpen. Gregg walked nobody in 11 innings during the spring, and allowed just one run on three hits, with five strikeouts. But he lost out to Paco Rodriguez for the final relief spot.

"From top to bottom, we like Kevin Gregg. We're trying to make that situation work out," manager Don Mattingly said before Saturday's game. "He's been great. I know this guy can't be this good, but every time out he just gets outs. He doesn't walk anybody and he throws strikes."