By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
South Korean submariner Kim Byung-hyun's reunion with the Arizona Diamondbacks has come to a miserable end following two frustrating outings.
The Diamondbacks, which won the World Series with Kim in 2001, designated him for assignment Wednesday, a day after he threw only 17 pitches, allowing 4 runs in 1/3 inning in a 14-5 loss to his former team the Florida Marlins.
The 28-year-old was claimed off waivers from Florida on August 3 by the Diamondbacks where he debuted in 1999 with the hopes that he would fill the spot of Randy Johnson, who was done for the season due to a back injury.
However, from his first start against the Pittsburgh Pirates after rejoining Arizona, its former closer struggled surrendering five runs on seven hits in 2 1/3 innings.
His ERA with the Diamondbacks is 23.63.
``We weren't getting results there, and we had to make a decision,'' Melvin said. ``He pitched a couple of games for us and didn't do very well in either game. The position we're in now, we have to have better results in that spot.''
He added: ``If things don't work out, you have to move on.''
Arizona is leading the National League West with two and half games ahead of the second place San Diego Padres as of Thursday.
The Arizona Republic, a daily newspaper in Phoenix, reported that when the Diamondbacks claimed Kim, they didn't do so expecting to end up with him. But the Marlins let him go _ they had the option of pulling him back off waivers _ and let the Diamondbacks assume responsibility of the roughly $850,000 left on Kim's contract.
Arizona has 10 days to trade, release or send him down to one of its affiliated teams in the U.S. minor leagues.
Although the Diamondbacks will pay his remaining salary, recent poor performances will hinder him from signing with the postseason contenders while teams, out of the play-off race, don't have to seek Kim because they will want to test their prospects.
Meanwhile, Diamondbacks managing general partner Ken Kendrick said he expected Kim to go to Japan and catch on with a team there for next season, adding that after everything that happened to Kim in 2001, surrendering two late leads in the World Series, that it would have been a nice story if he could have performed at a high level again.
However, Kim's side negated Kendrick's remark.
``As far as I know, he has never considered playing in Japan,'' he said.