BRADENTON, Fla. - Left-handed reliever Joe Beimel was the latest to learn that, at least this spring, experience offers no advantage in making the Pittsburgh Pirates' opening day roster.

Beimel was released Wednesday in an unanticipated move that means the two left-handers projected to be in Pittsburgh's bullpen won't make the team. Former Cubs and Mets left-hander Mark Guthrie was released Monday with a 12.96 ERA.

By waiving Beimel, 26, before Wednesday's 2 p.m. deadline, the Pirates owe him only one-quarter of his $535,000 salary, or $133,750.

"I can't say it was too shocking," Beimel said. "I pretty much knew what was going on. I knew the dates, and I knew when things have to happen."

With Beimel and Guthrie gone, the Pirates could go with an all-rookie bullpen of John Grabow (0-0, 5.00 ERA in nine innings) and Mike Johnston, who was unscored upon in five games until giving up two runs in the eighth inning of Wednesday's 8-8 tie with Boston.

Grabow has appeared in only five major league games, while Johnston has never pitched above Double-A.

"Performance-wise, Joe didn't do the job and we have some lefties who are performing well right now. It's a tough call, but one that is based on how guys play," general manager Dave Littlefield said.

Also in the mix is Sean Burnett, the franchise's top left-handed prospect, but he is expected to start the season in Triple-A Nashville's rotation.

Another option is to go with an all-right-handed rotation of Kip Wells, Kris Benson, Josh Fogg, Ryan Vogelsong and Rick Reed and shift left-hander Oliver Perez, the projected No. 4 starter, to the bullpen. Perez has had an up-and-down spring, going 1-3 with an 8.27 ERA and 22 hits allowed in 16

innings.

If Perez leaves the rotation, a move that manager Lloyd McClendon said Tuesday he wasn't planning to make, Johnston and Burnett could wind up with Nashville.

"I thought I would be one of the first guys cut," said Johnston, who could become only the second known major leaguer with Tourette's syndrome. "I've stayed around a lot longer than I thought. I just hope I'm still here when that flight leaves Saturday night."

Beimel was a product of Pittsburgh's farm system, but his departure is another sign of how the Pirates are rebuilding with their own players. Besides the reshaped pitching staff, rookie Jose Castillo, who has never played above Double-A, is all but set as their opening day second baseman.

"We've got guys who are performing better and we think they will perform better in the future," Littlefield said.

Beimel, who played at Pittsburgh's Duquesne University, made a career-high 69 appearances last season but struggled with a 7.77 ERA after the All-Star break and finished 1-3 with a 5.05 ERA. Beimel also was ineffective this spring, with a 1-1 record and 8.22 ERA in six appearances.

Beimel had been working on a new sidearm delivery he planned to use against left-handed hitters, but that was also going slowly and the Pirates sent him to their minor league camp Sunday to work on it.

Beimel doesn't expect any trouble finding another job despite his 10-19 record and 5.00 ERA in 164 major league games.

"Obviously, I would have liked to make the team, but I'm not worried about another job," Beimel said. "I'm not going to say anything bad about anybody. It was just a decision they have to make."

After his uneven 2003 season, Beimel began to think it might be a good idea to move on to another club.

"I had a feeling pretty much all winter," he said. "I think it might be one of the best things that could happen for me."

The Pirates now have 28 active players - infielder Freddy Sanchez and outfielder Jason Bay will start the season on the disabled list - or three over the opening day limit.

In another move, the Pirates reacquired left-handed Frank Brooks, one of five players they lost in the Rule 5 draft in December. He was drafted by Oakland and was later claimed on waivers by Boston. He will start the season at Triple-A Nashville.