Kim reportedly off WBC roster, Liranzo on health and progress

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are down to four players participating in the World Baseball Classic.

Outfielder Hyun Soo Kim has declined an offer to join South Korea's team, according to a report from the Yonhap News Agency. Kim was on the preliminary roster.

The report includes the following note on Kim:

"Kim, entering his second big league season, told the manager a few hours after the team meeting that he wouldn't be available for the WBC. Kim was a part-time player as a rookie last year and will have to compete for playing time in spring training."

The Orioles knew that Kim was wavering on his commitment and appeared to be leaning toward staying in camp while he attempts to win a full-time role. Kim appeared in only 95 games last season.

Center fielder Adam Jones and reliever Mychal Givens will play for Team USA. Third baseman Manny Machado will join the Dominican Republic team and second baseman Jonathan Schoop will play for the Netherlands.

Rosters must be set by Feb. 6.

The Orioles want Givens to decline the offer due to injury concerns, but they won't stand in his way.

Meanwhile, minicamp concludes today with Jesus Liranzo, Brian Gonzalez and Garrett Cleavinger scheduled to throw in the bullpen. It's going to be an abbreviated workout.

Liranzo was added to the 40-man roster before the Rule 5 draft despite being only 21 and beginning the 2016 season at low Single-A Delmarva. He hadn't pitched in the U.S., spending three years in the Dominican Summer League.

"I was so excited," he said. "It's a great opportunity for me to get to the next level."

Liranzo is in camp partially because the Orioles wanted to check his right elbow. He had a screw inserted to repair a fracture shortly after the Braves released him, and he missed the 2014 season.

"I feel pretty good in my elbow," he said. "I don't have any pain in it any time. I think I'm completely healthy now. It's a great feeling."

Liranzo posted a 1.05 ERA and 0.79 WHIP in 16 relief appearances with Delmarva, and he held opponents to a .109 average. The Orioles promoted him to Bowie, skipping the Carolina League, and he went 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 11 games. Opponents batted .127.

"The biggest key was working hard," he said. "If you can work hard, you can do anything in your mind. You try to work hard and (listen) to all the teaching your coaches tell you every day. That's the key to me.

"It's my plan every day, to try to do a good job in whatever situation they put me in the game, no matter the level. I want to jump to the next level and to the big leagues in the future. I don't know when, but if they need me this year, I'll try to be ready."

It would be the latest adjustment for Liranzo, who already showed that he can adapt quickly while going from the Dominican League to the South Atlantic League.

"The biggest adjustment was that it's a completely different strike zone and the umpires," he said. "It's also new teammates and a new language, but you can do it when your coaches are teaching you.

"It's not easy, but you can learn every day, try to learn. You have to make the adjustment at every level that you pitch."