BALTIMORE — South Korean outfielder Hyun Soo Kim has made the Baltimore Orioles’ 25-man opening day roster.
Kim struggled during spring training and had only one plate appearance over the last week of the exhibition season.
Orioles executive vice-president Dan Duquette hoped to option Kim to Triple-A for more seasoning. But Kim’s $7 million, two-year contract included a provision that prevents the club from sending him to the minors without his consent, and he refused the assignment.
The 28-year-old Kim was one of the top players in the Korea Baseball Organization before signing with the Orioles. The team envisioned him being a starter, but it became apparent early that Kim was going to have problems against big league pitching.
Kim was hitless in his first 23 at-bats finished with a .178 batting average in spring training. He did not have an extra-base hit and walked only once.
