The Los Angeles Dodgers placed Hyeseong Kim on the 10-day injured list with left shoulder bursitis and selected the contract of top infield prospect Alex Freeland.
No additional move was needed as the Dodgers had an open spot for Freeland on their 40-man roster, which is now full.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed Kim has played through a left shoulder issue for the past week. Kim was not in the lineup on Sunday, but returned for the series opener against the Cincinnati Reds due to Tommy Edman’s ankle injury.
Kim went 0-for-3 against the Reds, and his swing looked off as he is likely compensating for the ailing left shoulder. In the last seven games, the 26-year-old has hit just .158/.158/.158 in 19 at-bats.
His issues extend over the last month as well. In his previous 30 games, Kim is only hitting .224/.253/.263 across 76 at-bats, which has correlated with taking on a larger.
Some time off could perhaps due Kim some good as he tries to get back on track.
Alex Freeland joining Dodgers for MLB debut
Freeland gets the promotion to the Dodgers for the first time in his career after a strong showing with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets.
Freeland was batting .253/.377/.421 with 26 doubles, 12 home runs and 71 RBI over 94 games with the Comets before the promotion. He also finished the 2024 season at the Triple-A level after beginning the year with the High-A Great Lakes Loons.
The infielder ranks as the No. 35 overall prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline, and No. 3 for the Dodgers behind Josue De Paula and Zyhir Hope.
The switch-hitter has both quality bat-to-ball skills and some decent power in his bat with scouts expecting him to be a 20 home run per season type player.
Freeland is also a plus defender at shortstop with a strong arm, and he also has experience at both second and third base.
He should get a real chance to make an impact with the Dodgers, and he could even earn a full-time starting role with an impressive showing as they search for ways to upgrade their defense.
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