Minneapolis (Learfield News Service) -  The Minnesota Twins have removed South Korean slugger Byung Ho Park from the team's 40 man roster. 

Park was designated for assignment Friday, with the Twins hoping his nine-million dollar contract means he will make it through waivers and work on making better contact in the minors.

He was a free agent signing before last season, then pounded a dozen home runs, but only hit .191, with 80 strikeouts in just 215 at-bats.

The 30-year-old Park batted .191 with 12 home runs and 24 RBIs in 62 games last season. The Twins paid his South Korean club, the Nexen Heroes, $12.85 million for negotiating rights to Park, who signed a $12 million, four-year contract with Minnesota.

The move was made to clear space on the 40-man roster for right-handed reliever Matt Belisle, who finalized a $2.05 million, one-year contract after posting a career-best 1.76 ERA last season for Washington.

Belisle pitched 46 innings in 2016 for the Nationals, missing seven weeks due to a leg injury.

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