Angels released RHP Hiroyuki Kobayashi.

The Angels signed Kobayashi to a minor league contract in late January but apparently weren't very impressed with him this spring in camp. The 34-year-old right-hander posted a 3.00 ERA and 45/19 K/BB ratio over 39 innings in 2011 for the Hanshin Tigers of Japan's Central League. He did not pitch in 2012.