The Los Angeles Dodgers decided to recall Hunter Feduccia from Triple-A Oklahoma City as the corresponding move to Freddie Freeman going on the 10-day injured list last week.
The catcher was selected over other candidates for the Dodgers roster, including Hyeseong Kim, who signed a three-year, $12.5 million contract during the offseason after spending eight seasons in the KBO League.
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Kim was expected to be the Dodgers’ primary starter at second base this season, but he struggled offensively in Spring Training and ultimately got demoted to Oklahoma City to begin the year.
According to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group, manager Dave Roberts revealed the Dodgers don’t view Kim as a fit for their roster in the short-term:
Hyeseong Kim started the season 6 for 23 (.261) with OKC but “is a longer-term play.”
Kim is batting a solid .273/.368/.455 with four doubles, one triple and six RBI in 39 plate appearances (eight games) for the OKC Comets thus far. Kim has hit safely in the past five games.
Kim would have given the Dodgers another left-handed bat off the bench, just like Feduccia, but the team feels he is better suited receiving regular starts in Oklahoma City for the time being.
Tommy Edman has emerged as the Dodgers’ regular second baseman, and Mookie Betts (shortstop) and Andy Pages (center field) have also established starting roles at the other positions Kim played during Spring Training.
Kim has benefited from getting consistent playing time with the Comets and should have a chance to make an impact at the Major League level this season.
Hyeseong Kim asked former Dodgers for advice
When Kim first signed with the Dodgers, he asked Chan Ho Park, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Jung Hoo Lee and Ha-Seong Kim for advice on how to quickly adjust to the Majors.
“I was former teammates with Jung Hoo Lee and Ha-Seong Kim, and have really good relationships with them, so I asked a lot of questions about their experience in getting adjusted to Major League Baseball. I also asked Chan Ho Park and Hyun-Jin Ryu,” Kim said through an interpreter.
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