"We're in a very competitive area in what we're trying to do," manager Terry Francona said. "And right now it's just not working [with Kim] starting. I don't think it's fair to him or to us, so we're going to make a change for now."
No sooner did the Sox hit the clubhouse after Kim's second straight abysmal start -- this time the struggling Korean surrendered six runs (four earned) on five hits, three walks and a hit batsman before he departed to a cascade of boos -- than Francona and general manager Theo Epstein huddled behind closed doors with Kim, pitching coach Dave Wallace, and senior pitching adviser Tony Cloninger.
The message was clear: Bronson Arroyo would replace Kim in the rotation, taking the next turn Saturday against the Blue Jays in Toronto.
What remains to be seen is whether Kim reports to the bullpen, Triple A Pawtucket, or the team's training and rehabilitation center in Fort Myers, Fla. The Sox gave Kim the night to consider the options.
"We're going to do what we think is in his best interest and our best interest," Francona said. "I frankly don't know the answer right yet."
Kim, who left the park without talking to reporters, insisted in the private meeting that he was physically fine, though his velocity clearly had dropped. His fastball was clocked as slow as 82 miles an hour and rarely faster than 86.
"He said, `I'm searching for my mechanics and my delivery. I'm searching for feeling good,' " said Wallace. "Young pitchers go through that, especially when they make the transition from relieving to starting."
Kim has allowed 11 runs (eight earned) in 6 2/3 innings over his last two starts, surrendering 11 hits, four walks, and hitting a batter. That was enough for the Sox to turn to Arroyo, who has logged a 4.44 ERA in four starts.
"I was not totally shocked," said Arroyo. "But I was a little surprised it was so quick."
Kim's woes, which precipitated a second straight loss for the Sox, touched off an uncharacteristic run of trouble for the vaunted Sox pen as all but one of Boston's five relievers contributed to Cleveland's scoring splurge. It got so ugly that the empty seats nearly outnumbered the occupied ones by the end of the 3-hour-38-minute thrashing.
