Struggling South Korean infielder Choi Ji-man was designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday (local time).

The Angels said they moved him off their 40-man roster to make room for pitcher Jhoulys Chacin, recently acquired in a trade with the Atlanta Braves.

Choi, 24, joined the Angels via the Rule 5 Draft in December, after signing a minor league deal with the Baltimore Orioles. He spent his first five seasons in the Seattle Mariners' system.

Choi made his major league debut this season but has gone just 1-for-18 with six walks, while splitting his time at first base and left field.

The Rule 5 Draft is open to players who were 19 or older when they first signed with an MLB club and have been in professional baseball for four years, or those who were 18 or younger at the time of their signing and have played for five years. The Angels paid the Orioles $50,000 to select Choi.

The team that picks a player in the Rule 5 Draft must keep him on its 25-man roster for the entire season, and the player has to be active -- without a stint on the disabled list -- for a minimum of 90 days.

If Choi clears waivers -- meaning, if no club claims him -- then the Angels must offer Choi back to the Orioles for $25,000. If the Orioles decline, Choi may be sent down to the Angels' minors.

Choi batted .302/.404/.481 with 35 home runs, 211 RBIs and 14 steals in 335 minor league games. (Yonhap)