Kim joins Phillies in reserve outfield role

PHILADELPHIA -- Hyun Soo Kim said Sunday he knows little about Philadelphia, other than the Phillies have had good teams in the past.
The Phillies acquired Kim, Double-A left-hander Garrett Cleavinger and international amateur signing bonus pool cash from the Orioles on Friday for starter Jeremy Hellickson and cash. Kim joined the club before Sunday's game against the Braves at Citizens Bank Park.
"I never thought about it," Kim said of a possible trade through his interpreter. "I was very surprised."
Kim, 29, will be a reserve outfielder for the Phillies and is expected to play sparingly behind starters Aaron Altherr, Nick Williams and Odúbel Herrera the remainder of the season. He will be a free agent in the offseason.
"I'm not really expecting anything other than whatever opportunity I get," Kim said. "Whatever comes my way, I'll work hard."
Kim finished his rookie season hitting .302 with 16 doubles, six home runs, 22 RBIs and an .801 OPS in 346 plate appearances for the Orioles. But in 2017, he has hit .232 with four doubles, one homer, 10 RBIs and a .593 OPS in 142 plate appearances.
"I've been working hard. I've been trying very hard," Kim said. "It'll help me the more I play."
When the left-handed-hitting Kim does play, it will be against right-handed pitchers. He is 1-for-25 with five walks against southpaws in the Majors.