SARASOTA, Fla. -- Orioles manager Buck Showalter didn't have much of an opinion on Saturday night's report that the organization has had internal discussions of sending Hyun Soo Kim back to South Korea.
"That makes for good fodder," said Showalter, who added that he didn't have a reaction to the FOXSports.com report.
Kim, signed to a two-year, $7 million contract this winter, started the season 0-for-23, but has fared better recently and raised his average to .182 in 48 Grapefruit League plate appearances.
Originally projected to be the team's Opening Day left fielder, Showalter said Rule 5 outfielder Joey Rickard's impressive spring does not impact Kim.
"We'll see what the next few days bring. We've got some tough decisions to make. "
Kim said through his interpreter on Sunday morning that he was not aware of the report, but he knows he has a lot more to show performance-wise.
"Struggles are always struggles for anybody," Kim said. "I'm just going to follow along and face whatever is coming in front of me and try my best to overcome it."
Kim is still happy about his decision to come to the Major leagues and said the adjustment process hasn't been as difficult as he thought.
"I just have to face new pitchers without knowing what kind of pitches they have, just going in, not knowing who they are really," Kim said of his biggest challenge. "That's the only thing."