01:00 AM EST on Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Veteran reliever Jeff Nelson left Cardinals camp in Jupiter, Fla., Sunday in disbelief.

After a solid outing against the Florida Marlins and an overall outstanding performance this spring, the veteran non-roster invitee was one of two cuts made to the St. Louis roster after that day's game.

"I don't know what I had to do to pitch any better," Nelson said. " . . . It was definitely a shock. This is my 16th or 17th big-league camp. I don't think I've ever had an experience like this."

Nelson, who struck out two of the three batters he faced Sunday and has allowed just one hit in six games this spring, was released from the team, while first baseman/outfielder Brian Daubach was reassigned to minor-league camp.

"These are real tough cuts," manager Tony La Russa said. "We're talking about guys who had great springs."

Going down to Triple A Memphis was not even an option for Nelson, a 39-year-old who has been in the big leagues for 13 years. The question is what's next for him?

"You just wait," Nelson said. "I still feel I can pitch, obviously. I've never been through this before so I don't know what it is, if I have to go home that's fine, I don't care. But I didn't think there was a possibility I wasn't going to make the team, especially with the way I pitched. There was no question mark."

ROUNDUP HERNANDEZ HEADED FOR DL: Kansas City Royals pitcher Runelvys Hernandez will begin the year on the 15-day disabled list because of concerns about his weight and stamina. Projected to be the team's No. 2 starter, Hernandez allowed nine runs -- eight earned -- and five home runs in 12 innings. Hernandez will be dropped down to fifth in the rotation, manager Buddy Bell said yesterday, a slot that's not needed until April 14. Hernandez will start the season on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha.

NATIONALS MOVES : Washington shortstop Cristian Guzman will miss the start of the season with a right shoulder injury after he was put on the 15-day disabled list yesterday along with four other Nationals. Right-handers Luis Ayala, Ryan Drese and Brian Lawrence also went on the DL, as did first baseman/catcher Robert Fick. Ayala, Washington's top setup man in the bullpen last season, is to have ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow Thursday in Los Angeles and miss the entire season. He was hurt while pitching for Mexico during the World Baseball Classic.

LaRUE OPERATED ON: Catcher Jason LaRue had surgery yesterday to repair torn cartilage in his right knee, then started rehabilitation hoping to be back in the Cincinnati Reds' lineup for opening day. The operation was part of a whirlwind day for the 32-year-old catcher, who showed up at the club's spring training facility a 5:45 a.m., went to the airport, flew to Cincinnati on owner Bob Castellini's jet, had the surgery and flew back.