masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgSARASOTA, Fla. – Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed tonight that Korean outfielder Hyun Soo Kim won’t be part of the 25-man roster on opening day.
Kim is out of the lineup again tonight and hasn’t played since Saturday. He’s in the dugout as the Orioles lead the Braves 2-1 in the top of the fifth inning.
“Yes, it looks like he’s not going to be on the 25-man roster to start the season,” Duquette said, as members of the beat crew gathered outside the MASN booth where…

SARASOTA, Fla. – Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed tonight that Korean outfielder Hyun Soo Kim won’t be part of the 25-man roster on opening day.

Kim is out of the lineup again tonight and hasn’t played since Saturday. He’s in the dugout as the Orioles lead the Braves 2-1 in the top of the fifth inning.

“Yes, it looks like he’s not going to be on the 25-man roster to start the season,” Duquette said, as members of the beat crew gathered outside the MASN booth where he had just been interviewed.

kim-back-in-dugout-sidebar.jpgAs I’ve written, Kim would need to give his consent to be sent to Triple-A Norfolk.

“That’s a conversation we need to have with him,” Duquette said.

Kim would prefer to stay in the U.S. rather than return to Korea. Asked whether going back to the KBO was in play here, Duquette replied, “I’m not sure about that.”

Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard will receive the chance to be the everyday left fielder. He began tonight batting .386/.462/.579 and leading the team with 22 hits. Kim started out 0-for-23 before an 8-for-21 stretch that proceeded his benching.

“I think we have some other players ahead of him right now,” Duquette said.

“We’re just trying to do the right thing for the team and get the guys in the right jobs. I think from our perspective, we had a couple of players do real well in the spring and look like they’re going to be helpful to the team to start the season.”

Kim spent 10 seasons with the Doosan Bears of the KBO, batting .318/.406/.488 before signing a two-year, $7 million contract with the Orioles in December. He’s being paid $2.5 million this season.

Kim doesn’t have an extra-base hit this spring and hasn’t been able to catch up with higher velocity fastballs. There also are concerns about his arm.

Going to Triple-A would allow Kim to continue making the adjustment to the U.S. and perhaps give him another shot at succeeding later at the major league level.

“I think in these cases the transition takes some time,” Duquette said. “I believe he wants to give it some more time.”

Could a minor league stint resolve his issues?

“Could be. Yeah, could be,” Duquette said. “Could need a little time to resolve it.”

The Orioles currently have 40 players in camp, including Nolan Reimold, who’s out of options and trying to make the club as an extra outfielder. Mark Trumbo is the projected starter in right.

The club continues to check on available left-handed hitting outfielders.

Miguel Gonzalez has allowed one run and five hits in four innings tonight. Tyler Moore lifted a sacrifice fly in the third after singles by Ender Inciarte and Erick Aybar.

Matt Wieters broke a 1-1 tie in the third with a home run to right field, his first this spring. It also produced his first RBI.

Wieters is catching for the first time since March 12.