Dodgers' Hyeseong Kim: Begins rehab stint, plays LF
Rotowire
Kim (shoulder) went 2-for-3 with a run in a rehab appearance with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday. He started in left field and played five innings, per Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register.
Thursday marked Kim's first game action since July 28 as the rookie utility player progresses toward a return from left shoulder bursitis. Kim hadn't played left field prior to Thursday, but the Dodgers have gotten poor production from Michael Conforto (.618 OPS) as the primary option at the position. Los Angeles acquired Alex Call at the trade deadline and has been giving him some starts in left, but if Kim can handle the position defensively, he could get opportunities there after he's activated from the IL.
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Dodgers' Hyeseong Kim: Ready for rehab assignment
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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Kim (shoulder) will report to Triple-A Oklahoma City this week to begin a rehab assignment, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Roberts confirmed that Kim would be ready to test out his left shoulder in a game setting after the rookie was able to take live batting practice Sunday without issue. Kim, who has been on the injured list since July 29 while recovering from shoulder bursitis, could be ready to rejoin the Dodgers at some point in the final week of August if all goes well during his rehab assignment. Once he's activated from the IL, Kim could settle in as the Dodgers' primary second baseman in the short term, as Tommy Edman (ankle) isn't expected to be ready to return to action until at least early September.
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Dodgers' Hyeseong Kim: Rejoining starting nine
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Kim (shoulder) will start at second base and bat seventh in Monday's game against the Reds.
Kim was held out of the lineup for Sunday's 4-3 loss to Boston due to a left shoulder injury he sustained a night earlier, but he felt well enough to serve as a pinch runner and defensive replacement late in the contest. He reported to the park Monday no worse for the wear, so Kim will take back a spot in the starting nine as the Dodgers open a three-game set in Cincinnati.
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Dodgers' Hyeseong Kim: Out Sunday with shoulder issue
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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that Kim has been dealing with a left shoulder issue and won't play Sunday versus Boston, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
According to Roberts, Kim has been dealing with the injury for about a week. Roberts suggested that the injury has been impacting the rookie infielder at the plate, but despite looking uncomfortable at the dish at times Saturday, Kim played eight innings and went 2-for-3. He was lifted for a pinch hitter in the ninth, but that may not have been a result of the injury, as Mookie Betts -- who arrived late to the stadium after dealing with a personal issue -- was summoned to bat as the tying run with two outs.
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Dodgers' Hyeseong Kim: Idle against southpaw
Rotowire
Kim is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.
After starting at second base in five of the Dodgers' past six games, the left-handed-hitting Kim will hit the bench Sunday while the Giants send southpaw Robbie Ray to the hill. Tommy Edman will shift over from third base to cover the keystone in Kim's stead.
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Dodgers' Hyeseong Kim: Could see more playing time
Rotowire
Kim could see more starts at second base going forward now that Tommy Edman is healthy enough to play in the outfield, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday.
Kim had been part of the starting lineup in four of the Dodgers' past 13 games, making three starts in center field and one at second base. However, Edman's minor ankle injury is healed enough to allow him to play the outfield, which should open up more opportunities for Kim at the keystone -- the position he's had his most starts at this season. The 26-year-old rookie is slashing .372/.410/.538 with two home runs and six stolen bases in 83 plate appearances. Kim is batting eighth and playing second base Saturday against the Royals.
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Dodgers' Hyeseong Kim: Collects four hits, including homer
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Kim went 4-for-4 with a home run, a double, a walk, three total runs and two total RBI against the Yankees in an 18-2 victory Saturday.
Kim got the start at shortstop with Mookie Betts (toe) sitting out a second straight day, though Kim shifted to center field later in the contest. The rookie reached base all five times he came to the plate, and he bashed his second big-league homer with a 412-foot, two-run blast in the second inning. Kim's opportunities have been sporadic -- Saturday's start marked just his second across the Dodgers' past nine contests -- but he's been impressive when in the lineup, slashing .422/.458/.600 with four extra-base hits, 13 runs, seven RBI and four stolen bases through 48 plate appearances.
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Dodgers' Hyeseong Kim: On base five times in win
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Kim went 3-for-3 with a double, two walks, two RBI, one stolen base and four runs scored in Thursday's 19-2 win over the Athletics.
From the No. 9 hole, Kim was able to have another strong performance, earning his first three-hit game in the majors. He also drew his first two walks in the contest. Kim is now batting .429 with a home run, five RBI, nine runs scored and three steals across 30 plate appearances to begin his big-league career. He's seeing time at second base and in center field against right-handed pitchers, though he could soon take on a reduced role with Tommy Edman (ankle) nearing his return from the IL.
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Dodgers' Hyeseong Kim: Swats first career homer
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Kim went 2-for-2 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 9-3 win over the Athletics.
Kim's first major-league long ball was a 385-foot solo shot in the fifth inning that tied the score. Since he was called up from the minors May 3, the rookie infielder has recorded three multi-hit games and is batting a robust .360 (9-for-25). The homer Wednesday was Kim's first extra-base hit, but he's also contributed a pair of stolen bases, five runs and three RBI.
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Dodgers' Hyeseong Kim: Not in Tuesday's lineup
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Kim is not in the Dodgers' starting lineup against the Athletics on Tuesday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
With Kim beginning Tuesday's contest on the bench, Miguel Rojas will start at second base and bat eighth against Athletics southpaw Jeffrey Springs. Kim was recalled by the Dodgers on May 3 after Tommy Edman (ankle) was placed on the 10-day IL, and Kim has gone 7-for-22 with two stolen bases, four runs scored and two RBI in nine major-league games.
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Dodgers' Hyeseong Kim: Joining Dodgers
Rotowire
The Dodgers plan to recall Kim from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.
After signing a three-year deal with the Dodgers in the offseason, Kim was sent to Triple-A at the beginning of the year to work on his swing. Through 129 plate appearances, the 26-year-old has slashed .252/.328/.470 with five homers, 19 RBI and 22 runs scored while swiping 13 bags in 28 games. A corresponding move for Kim's promotion hasn't been announced yet, though it may signal a move to the injured list for Tommy Edman (ankle).
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Dodgers' Hyeseong Kim: Thriving in minors
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Through 65 plate appearances with Triple-A Oklahoma City, Kim is slashing .293/.359/.603 with three home runs, seven doubles, a triple, 16 runs, 13 RBI and four stolen bases.
After signing Kim to a three-year, $12.5 million contract in early January, the Dodgers opted to have the Korean infielder begin his professional career in the minors. Kim has taken the assignment in stride, as he's collected at least one hit in 11 of his 14 contests with OKC so far. Kim isn't projected to be much of a power hitter in the majors, but he's defied that expectation of late, smashing three home runs -- including a 462-footer -- over his past three games. There was always a strong likelihood that Kim would see the majors this season, and his time could come relatively soon if he continues to succeed against minor-league pitching.
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Dodgers' Hyeseong Kim: Could open year in minors
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Kim could open the year in the minors as he continues to make swing adjustments, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Kim has drawn rave reviews for his infield defense, but he was a light-hitting player even in the KBO, where his career high in homers was 11. Given the Dodgers have a bevy of strong options, they can afford to ease Kim into things against Triple-A pitching if they think he will be overmatched at the plate in the majors. Tommy Edman's versatility could allow him to play second or shortstop alongside Mookie Betts while Andy Pages potentially takes on a prominent role in the outfield.
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Dodgers' Hyeseong Kim: Will get looks in CF
Rotowire
Manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that the Dodgers will look to use Kim in center field during spring training in addition to second base and shortstop, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
Kim has a bit of experience playing in the outfield from his time in Korea, though he was only ever used in the corners. The Dodgers -- eager to add another lefty-hitting option in center field -- believe the 26-year-old's speed will allow him to succeed in the new role, but Kim is still expected to serve primarily as a second baseman once the regular season begins.
