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Orioles' Duquette: Kim likely to start in minors

Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Baltimore Orioles general manager Dan Duquette confirmed Tuesday that Hyun Soo Kim will not make the team's Opening Day roster.

Kim will likely begin the season at Triple-A Norfolk - an assignment the outfielder must sign off on, per his contract.

"I think we have some players ahead of him right now," the GM told reporters. "From our perspective we had a couple players do really well in the spring (and) look like they're going to be helpful."

Kim - a star with the Doosan Bears who signed a two-year, $7-million contract with Baltimore in December - was expected to see regular time in the Orioles' outfield in 2016, but labored through a brutal spring training.

In 16 Grapefruit League games, the 28-year-old hit .182/.229/.182 with six strikeouts and one walk - including an 0-for-23 stretch to begin his first spring with the Orioles.

Part of the issue, Duquette suggested, could be related to the culture shock of living in the United States. The GM did maintain that Kim is open to accepting a minor-league assignment, and that it's unlikely he'll be sent back to Korea.

"Kim wants to succeed here (and) give it a longer effort," Duquette said.

Manager Buck Showalter told reporters the team has had several discussions with Kim about going to the minors, and added that he thinks an assignment could help.

"He might decide to go to Norfolk and really get going and come up here and really be a contributor," Showalter said. "I just knew there were some other guys here outperforming him (in spring) and we’re trying to take our best 25."

If Kim ultimately accepts the demotion, it's likely that spring sensation Joey Rickard will have the chance to break camp as Baltimore's starting left fielder, per WJZ-TV's Mark Viviano. The Orioles' Rule V draft pick strengthened his case by hitting .396/.475/.566 this spring.

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