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Report: Kim resisting minor-league demotion from O's

Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery / Getty Images Sport / Getty

After making one of the most serious decisions of his career to depart Korea for an opportunity in the major leagues with the Baltimore Orioles, Hyun Soo Kim seems opposed to doing anything but just that.

The outfield import is resisting a minor-league demotion from the Orioles, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

As part of the two-year contract he signed with Baltimore in December, Kim cannot be sent to the minors without his consent, which means the Orioles must keep him on the big-league roster or release him and eat the entirety of the $7 million he's owed.

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed on Tuesday that Kim was unlikely to make the club's Opening Day roster after the 28-year-old struggled to a .182/.229/.182 slash line during spring, which included an 0-for-21 stretch.

The Orioles had reportedly discussed internally an arrangement to release Kim from his contract, which would allow him to return to the Korea Baseball Organization, where he was a star with the Doosan Bears.

Prior to coming to North America, Kim hit .318/.406/.488 with 142 home runs and 771 RBIs during a 10-year career with the Bears.

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