Dodgers call up KBO star infielder Kim from Triple-A
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ATLANTA -- The Comet is headed to the big leagues.
Infielder Hyeseong Kim, whose first name translates to "comet" in a Korean dialect, has been promoted to the Dodgers from Triple-A Oklahoma City to make his Major League debut, Los Angeles announced prior to Saturday’s game against the Braves.
In a corresponding move, infielder Tommy Edman was placed on the 10-day injured list with right ankle inflammation, retroactive to April 30.
“Tommy ran yesterday and just still didn’t feel great, [and] there’s still some soreness in his ankle,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “He didn’t feel like he could play tonight or even tomorrow, potentially.
“As far as Hyeseong, he’s playing well down [in Triple-A]. He’s still adjusting with the bat. I think the versatility -- the second base, shortstop, center field, the baserunning component -- I think all of that was a factor.”
Kim got called up after Friday’s Triple-A game.
“I was very surprised [about being called up],” Kim said through interpreter Joe Lee. “After the game [Friday] night, our Triple-A manager [Scott Hennessey] announced that [I] was going to go to The Show. I came here with a very happy and excited mindset. I’m very excited right now.”
The Dodgers signed the 26-year-old Kim this offseason after he spent eight seasons in the Korea Baseball Organization. Kim batted .304 or better in every season from 2021-24 and stole at least 20 bases in seven consecutive seasons.
Kim reported to Oklahoma City -- coincidentally named the Comets after Mickey Mantle, who grew up in Commerce, Okla., and was nicknamed the Commerce Comet -- after signing a 3-year, $12.5 million deal with the Dodgers in January. In 28 games this season, he's batting .252 with a .798 OPS and 14 extra-base hits.
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Kim has eight multihit games, including a two-homer game at Round Rock on April 12. He revamped his swing in Spring Training.
“For now, I feel very comfortable and confident,” Kim said. “Nothing is very different with the swing changes. I’ve been working very hard. There is still a lot of space to get better, but compared to day one that I came here, it’s been better than it used to be.”
“He’s making strides,” Roberts said. “Quite frankly, this can be a good opportunity to see some Major League pitching and to see the quality. Also to get his feet wet to make his [MLB] debut here in the States. I think we’re all excited for him.”
Kim arrived in the visitors’ clubhouse about two hours prior to Saturday’s first pitch at Truist Park and was not in the Dodgers’ starting lineup, but he entered the game to play second in the bottom of the ninth for his MLB debut.
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“I didn’t know when he was going to be in here, and so I wanted to give Chris Taylor a start and try to [give Enrique Hernández] and [Taylor], [Miguel Rojas] and, obviously, now Hyeseong opportunities," Roberts said.
“I’ll figure out to see if there is an opportunity [for him] to start. I think there will be. Right now, [his role will] be to come off the bench and fill in in different spots.”