Hyeseong Kim Joins Dodgers Amid Tommy Edman Injury
ATLANTA — A troublesome right ankle for Tommy Edman has paved the way for Hyeseong Kim to make his major league debut as the Los Angeles Dodgers called up the Korean utility player on Saturday to fill Edman’s spot on the active roster.
Edman, who had started 22 of the Dodgers’ first 31 games at second base, sustained an ankle injury during Tuesday’s victory against the Miami Marlins while attempting a slide, resulting in a strained tendon. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts mentioned on Saturday that Edman is expected to miss a short period while on the injured list, as his placement was backdated to allow for a potential return next week during the road series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
For now, Kim will likely serve in a bench role until Edman returns, according to Roberts. The 26-year-old infielder signed a three-year, $12.5 million contract with the Dodgers after leaving the KBO’s Kiwoom Heroes in January, choosing the Dodgers over other interested teams like the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels.
The contract did not include a clause that would have allowed Kim to refuse a minor league assignment, leading to his demotion to the minors shortly before Opening Day. The Dodgers utilized this time to refine his swing to better adapt to the higher pitching velocities in the U.S. In his time with Triple-A Oklahoma City, Kim posted an .798 OPS, hitting .252 with five home runs and stealing 13 bases across various positions including shortstop and center field.
Hyeseong Kim may get a start or two in the coming week, but Dave Roberts said he’ll likely serve a bench role for the coming days until Tommy Edman returns from the injured list.
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Scott Hennessey, Kim’s Triple-A manager, delivered the news of his call-up after a recent win in Oklahoma City. A surprised Kim expressed his excitement through interpreter Joe Lee as he met several teammates in the visiting clubhouse in Atlanta.
Despite starting his season in the minor leagues, Kim emphasized that he was “not frustrated,” noting there were areas he needed to improve. These included changes to his swing mechanics, such as a reduced leg kick and new timing techniques designed to enhance his bat-to-ball skills. Kim acknowledged that while he has made progress, there is still room for improvement.
Roberts praised Kim’s athletic abilities and expressed optimism that this opportunity would allow him to experience major league pitching while further developing his skills. Although Kim’s minor league strikeout rate rose significantly to 24.4% compared to 10.9% from the previous season in Korea, the Dodgers believe in his potential to contribute.
On the other hand, Edman had a strong start to the season, hitting eight home runs in the first month and beginning his first season of a new five-year, $74 million contract extension. After completing his pregame workout on Friday at Truist Park, Edman expressed hope to return quickly. He reassured that his current injury was less severe than the ankle sprain he suffered last season while returning from wrist surgery.
