Agent: Kim refuses Orioles' minors assignment

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Hyun Soo Kim is refusing to be sent to the minor leagues, according to Jeeho Yoo of Yonhap News.

Kim's representatives in Seoul made the announcement Friday morning in South Korea, or Thursday night on the East Coast.

"Kim would like to see his contract honored and executed faithfully," the Leeco agency said. "He also hopes to receive fair opportunities to continue his career as a major leaguer with Baltimore."

Per his deal with Baltimore, Kim has the right to refuse any minor-league assignments. With his refusal, the Orioles can elect to either keep the 27-year-old on their 25-man roster all season, negotiate a trade, or release him and eat his entire $7-million salary.

As recently as Thursday afternoon, it was reported Kim was "resisting" being sent to Triple-A Norfolk after it was revealed Tuesday he wouldn't make the Orioles' Opening Day roster. In a statement released Thursday night, Orioles general manager Dan Duquette didn't confirm the refusal, but expressed hope that Kim will ultimately accept the assignment.

Kim signed a two-year contract with the Orioles last winter, but he's struggled so far this spring in his first taste of North American baseball, hitting just .182/.229/.182 with no extra-base hits. He hit .318/.406/.488 across 10 professional seasons in South Korea.