Los Angeles, California—The Los Angeles Dodgers announced the recall of infielder Hyeseong Kim, officially marking his entry into the major leagues. This move coincides with the placement of Tommy Edman on the 10-day injured list due to right ankle inflammation, retroactively effective from April 30.
Kim, 26, emerged as a significant free-agent acquisition during the offseason, signing a three-year contract worth $12.5 million with the Dodgers. His tenure in the Korea Baseball Organization showcases a solid hitting background, boasting a .304 batting average over eight seasons. Primarily a utility player, he has experience at several infield positions, appealing to teams seeking versatile talent, even though he is not noted for power.
Initially, the signing raised eyebrows as the Dodgers already featured a robust middle infield lineup, including Mookie Betts, Gavin Lux, Edman, and Miguel Rojas. However, a subsequent trade that sent Lux to the Cincinnati Reds opened up opportunities for Kim to see more playing time.
After being optioned to the minors on March 11, just before the Dodgers’ series in Japan, Kim maintained a productive stint in Triple-A. Over the course of 28 games, he logged 131 plate appearances, recording five home runs, a .252 batting average, and an on-base percentage of .328. His base running has also been impressive, with 13 successful stolen bases.
The decision to promote Kim may be influenced by Edman’s recent struggles with an ankle issue. Although he has not yet been placed on the injured list, the Dodgers could make that move soon. Should they do so, it would allow for his absence to be backdated, potentially enabling Edman to return within a week if his recovery progresses.
In the event of Edman’s continuing absence, Kim will join Rojas and Enrique Hernández as options for the second base role. With his major league debut on the horizon, Kim’s performance in upcoming games will be closely monitored as he seeks to establish his place in the lineup.
As the Dodgers navigate this transition, fans eagerly await Kim’s first appearance, hoping he can make an immediate impact on the team’s success this season.