Diamondbacks Release Kim Byung-hyun

South Korean submariner Kim Byung-hyun suffered the latest, greatest setback of his career after the Arizona Diamondbacks designated him for assignment on Thursday.

Arizona has 10 days to trade, release or send him down to one of its affiliated teams in the U.S. minor leagues. The Diamondbacks did not get the results they wanted from the 28-year-old submariner. Only 12 days after rejoining Arizona, where he debuted in 1999, he was forced to leave the team.

Kim’s Disappointing Performance-

In his first start against the Pittsburgh Pirates last Wednesday after rejoining Arizona, he struggled, surrendering five runs in 2 1/3 innings. In yesterday’s game against the Florida Marlins, he retired only one batter, allowing four runs. He gave up 9 runs in two starts. His ERA with the Diamondbacks is 23.63, a dismal record compared with this season’s 5.23 (6-6).

Manager Bob Melvin tried to have Kim fill the spot of Randy Johnson, who is done for the season due to back surgery. “We weren`t getting results there, and we had to make a decision,” said Melvin, indicating he would release him.

Bleak Prospects-

Kim debuted with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 1999, and moved to the Boston Red Sox in 2003, the Colorado Rockies in 2005, the Florida Marlins in May 2007, and back to the D-backs earlier this month. It was the first time he was released for poor results, since he was sent to other teams for other reasons.

The bad news is that Arizona, the leading team in the National League West, gave up on him after only two starts. Other teams will not likely sign contracts with him because of this.

Kim, who will get 2.5 million dollars this season, will become a free agent after the season. If a major league club does not pick him up, it is possible that he could go to the minor leagues and consider his future there next year.

hic@donga.com