Early notes on Hyun Soo Kim, Joey Rickard, Paul Janish and more

SARASOTA, Fla. - Hyun Soo Kim, through his interpreter, declined an interview request today from the media.

Kim sat at his locker with about 10 minutes remaining before the clubhouse closed to the press.

The Orioles are waiting for Kim's decision on whether to accept an assignment to the minors. His contract stipulates that he must give his consent.

Meanwhile, Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard hasn't been told by the Orioles that he's made the club. However, he's been given some pretty strong hints, including interviews last night by executive vice president Dan Duquette.

It should be obvious by now, of course. Rickard is batting .390/.463/.576 with six doubles, one triple, one home run, seven RBIs, seven walks and five stolen bases in six attempts over 25 games. He's come as advertised defensively. He has nothing else to prove in the Grapefruit League. It's pretty much a "duh" decision, a term I dropped on him this afternoon.

"It's never a 'duh' thing,'" he said. "This game, baseball, nothing's ever set in stone, but hearing that and it made me relax a little and kind of take it in and enjoy it for a little bit. But at the end of the day, you never know, and I'll go out today like I did the last couple days, and that's just play hard and try to learn."

Though he hasn't heard directly from the Orioles, his phone was blowing up last night.

"Friends of mine and stuff will be watching the game and they'll leave me messages and stuff like that," Rickard said, "but that's as far as it's gone and I'm still waiting on the word."

Not only is Rickard breaking camp with the team, he could be the starting left field and leadoff hitter on opening day against the Twins.

"That's something unexpected, I think," he said. "It just came into play throughout the spring and something I'm very excited for and I'm hoping to take advantage of the opportunity."

Infielder Paul Janish said he's not aware of any teams contacting the Orioles about putting him on their 25-man roster, so he remains in the organization. He would have been allowed to leave under terms of his minor league deal.

Janish joked that we're still stuck with him. The Orioles want to keep him and could take him north. He set the odds at 50-50, not wanting to get his hopes too high.

With Kevin Gausman headed to the disabled list, the Orioles could go in a few directions while finalizing their roster. One would be to carry an extra utility infielder.

Janish is batting .304/.377/.391 with a double, home run and six RBIs in 24 games and he continues to excel at shortstop. His contract includes a couple of opt-out clauses.

Left-hander Brian Matusz said his back still feels good after he threw 20 pitches yesterday in minor league camp. He's sore, but he said "it's a good kind of sore."

Matusz remains scheduled to work two innings on Friday at Twin Lakes Park. He joked that it would happen in Philadelphia.

Nothing is expected to happen in Philly with the forecast calling for rain, but it's been known to change. Ubaldo Jimenez no longer is slated to make the start. He'll throw in Sarasota.