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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 9:47 a.m., Sunday, February 24, 2008

Baseball: Pirates sign pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim

Associated Press

BRADENTON, Fla. — Free-agent pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim signed a one-year, $850,000 deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates today, four days after agreeing to contract terms.

The Pirates also designated infielder Ray Olmedo for assignment.

Kim, who is expected to join the team tomorrow, could earn up to $1 million in performance bonuses.

General manager Neal Huntington said the 29-year-old Kim will be used exclusively in relief. Last season, 22 of his 28 appearances with Colorado, Florida and Arizona were starts. He went 10-8 with a 6.08 ERA.

"He has been tough on right-handers when he pitched primarily as a reliever," Huntington said. "Kim adds an experienced option for us in our bullpen competition."

The Pirates have four bullpen openings, with only closer Matt Capps and left-handers John Grabow and Damaso Marte considered locks.

The Pirates hope to keep Olmedo if he clears waivers. Olmedo, a waiver claim last month from the Toronto Blue Jays, had been one of 13 infielders in camp.