BOSTON – The Boston Red Sox optioned right-hander Byung-Hyun Kim to Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday night, a day after he was removed from the starting rotation because of a second consecutive poor outing.

Kim was 1-1 with a 6.17 ERA in three starts after being activated from the 15-day disabled list on April 29. He missed the first 19 games of the season with a right shoulder strain.

The Red Sox said they will replace him on the roster before Wednesday’s game.

Kim lasted just 3 1-3 innings and gave up six runs – four earned and two more on a passed ball when he crossed up Jason Varitek in Monday’s 10-6 loss to Cleveland.

“Right now, it’s just not working starting,” manager Terry Francona said after that game. “I don’t think it’s fair to him or to us. So we’re going to make a change for now.”

Bronson Arroyo will replace Kim in the rotation and start Saturday in Toronto.

Kim prefers to start but pitched primarily out of the bullpen last season. He signed a $10 million, two-year contract over the offseason.

AP-ES-05-11-04 2336EDT