Orioles GM Dan Duquette told reporters, including MASN’s Roch Kubatko, that outfielder Hyun-soo Kim isn’t likely to make the Orioles’ 25-man roster to open the season. Duquette added, “I think in these cases the transition takes some time. I believe he wants to give it some more time.”
The Orioles expect to talk with Kim about accepting an assignment to Triple-A Norfolk, as they must have his consent to do so, per his contract.
Kim inked a two-year, $7 million deal with the Orioles in December after another successful season with the Doosan Bears of the Korean Baseball Organization. In 630 plate appearances, Kim hit 28 home runs, drove in 121 runs, and compiled a .326/.438/.541 triple-slash line. That success didn’t translate this spring, as he hit a meager .182 with zero extra-base hits in 44 at-bats.
The Orioles’ left field spot figures to be filled in some capacity by Nolan Reimold and Joey Rickard.