Hyun Soo Kim says his hamstring injury has improved

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter met earlier today with outfielder Hyun Soo Kim, interpreter Danny Lee and head athletic trainer Richie Bancells in his office before batting practice.

We're still waiting to find out whether Kim has avoided the disabled list, but he claimed that he's feeling good and sounded optimistic that his season wouldn't be further interrupted.

"It feels much better than the time I got injured. It feels great," Kim said through his interpreter.

"If it were to be today, I want to play today, but it has to be agreed by the trainers. We're talking with the trainers to make sure when it's the best time for me to come back. I don't exactly have a timetable."

Asked if he's confident that he can avoid the DL, Kim replied, "Personally, yes."

Kim left the July 10 game against the Angels with a strained right hamstring sustained while running out a ground ball. He continued to feel some discomfort while attempting to run Thursday at the workout and hasn't been in the lineup the past two games.

Kim probably would have sat anyway tonight against Rays left-hander Matt Moore.

Without Kim in the lineup, the Orioles have lost their leader in on-base percentage. He's batting .329/.410/.454 with 10 doubles, three home runs and 11 RBIs in 46 games.

"I don't talk about how well I did," Kim said. "I just love baseball. I want to play baseball even at this moment, too."

Kim has experienced hamstring injuries in Korea, telling manager Buck Showalter that they've also happened before the break and he's only missed a few days. This isn't a new experience for him - the injury or the timing.

"This has happened before and the former trainers I had in Korea were also surprised by the (quick) pace I recovered," Kim said. "So hopefully, this happens again."

Reliever Darren O'Day played catch on the field and threw his second bullpen session in three days. Showalter will provide an update when he meets with the media around 4:30 p.m.