Kim Hyesung Returns...Back in MLB

Betts Placed on Injured List with Right Oblique Strain
Kim Hyesung Called Up, Expected to Play in Toronto Series April 6-8
Shortstop Duties Likely to Be Shared with Rojas Depending on Opposing Pitcher

Kim Hyesung of the Los Angeles Dodgers has returned to Major League Baseball (MLB).

On April 5 (local time), the Dodgers announced that they had placed shortstop Mookie Betts on the injured list and called up Kim Hyesung, who was playing for Triple-A Oklahoma City at the time. Kim Hyesung joined the team as part of the roster for the away game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in Washington, DC, on that day.

The Dodgers' starting shortstop, Mookie Betts, was replaced in the first inning of the previous day's regular-season game against Washington due to back pain and was later diagnosed with a right oblique strain. Betts is expected to be sidelined for about four to six weeks.

Hyesung Kim has returned to Major League Baseball. Photo by LA Dodgers

According to the Associated Press, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said there is a high possibility that Kim Hyesung and Miguel Rojas will share shortstop duties until Betts returns. The plan is to start Kim Hyesung against right-handed pitchers and Rojas against left-handed pitchers. Kim Hyesung is expected to play a significant role in the upcoming three-game road series against the Toronto Blue Jays starting on April 6.

Manager Roberts commented on Kim Hyesung, saying, "I hope he shows the good defense and hitting he is known for. I want him to take walks when the opportunity arises and to control the strike zone."

Last year, his first MLB season, Kim Hyesung played in 71 games, posting a .280 batting average, three home runs, 17 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases, and he also appeared in the World Series, earning a championship ring. This year, in his sophomore season, he raised expectations by batting over .400 in spring training, but lost out to switch-hitter Alex Freeland.

During the World Baseball Classic (WBC), Kim Hyesung was evaluated as having a somewhat diminished batting performance, and for the second consecutive year, he was not included in the MLB Opening Day roster. However, after appearing in six games in Triple-A, he posted a .346 batting average, two RBIs, 11 runs scored, and an OPS of 0.823, earning another call-up to the big leagues.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.