James Loney is released by the Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays released James Loney, the team’s regular first baseman the last three years.

The club announced the move Sunday, hours before starting the season against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Loney, 31, had been told last week that he would not be on the opening-day roster. He has a guaranteed $8-million salary.

Loney batted .280 with four home runs and 32 runs batted in last season. In three seasons with Tampa Bay, he hit .291 with 26 home runs and 176 RBIs in 414 games.

Orioles put South Korean outfielder on roster

South Korean outfielder Hyun Soo Kim was put on the Baltimore Orioles’ 25-man opening-day roster after resisting the team’s effort to send him to the minor leagues.

Kim, 28, batted .178 during spring training and had only one plate appearance over the final week of the exhibition season. He was hitless in his first 23 at-bats and had only eight hits in 45 at-bats.

Dan Duquette, the Orioles’ executive vice president, said he had hoped to option Kim to triple A for more seasoning. But Kim’s $7-million, two-year contract included a provision that prevents the club from sending him to the minors without his consent.