Kim makes Orioles roster after refusing demotion

BALTIMORE - South Korean outfielder Hyun Soo Kim has made the Baltimore Orioles' 25-man opening day roster.

Kim struggled during spring training and had only one plate appearance over the last week of the exhibition season.

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette hoped to option Kim to Triple-A for more seasoning. But Kim's $7 million, two-year contract included a provision that prevents the club from sending him to the minors without his consent, and he refused the assignment.

The 28-year-old Kim was one of the top players in the Korea Baseball Organization before signing with the Orioles. The team envisioned him being a starter, but it became apparent early that Kim was going to have problems against big league pitching.

Kim was hitless in his first 23 at-bats finished with a .178 batting average in spring training. He did not have an extra-base hit and walked only once.