The Los Angeles Dodgers promoted Alex Freeland on July 29 as a result of Hyeseong Kim going on the 10-day injured list due to left shoulder bursitis.
Freeland has received plenty of playing time since then, starting in six of the Dodgers’ eight games. He initially received opportunities at third base while Max Muncy was out due to a bone bruise in his left knee. But with Muncy’s return now having taken place, Freeland is moving to the middle infield more regularly.
Freeland’s start at second base on Tuesday against the St. Louis Cardinals is expected to be the first of multiple opportunities there as he fills in for Tommy Edman, who landed on the 10-day IL with a sprained right ankle.
Freeland has had a productive start to his Major League career, reaching base seven times in 23 plate appearances thus far.
However, his time in the Majors might be short-lived, as Kim continues to work his way back from the left shoulder injury. The Dodgers hoped it would be a brief IL stint for Kim, and all recent indications appear to be pointing in that direction.
The 26-year-old has completed various field work recently, including hitting fielding and running.
“Hyeseong is going well. He said he’s about 90%, which probably means about 80 to 85%,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said this week.
“He swung a bat today, which is good. Out there running and around taking grounders. It should be short-lived, his time on the IL. Hopefully.”
Meanwhile, the Dodgers’ No. 3 overall prospect will likely be returned to Triple-A Oklahoma City once the Dodgers feel comfortable enough to activate Kim from the IL.
Alex Freeland takes blame for throwing error
Freeland was back at third base on Wednesday due to Muncy receiving a day off as the Dodgers ease him back into playing on an everyday basis.
The afternoon was filled with multiple miscues, including one from Freeland on an ill-advised throw to second base that got by Miguel Rojas. The error allowed the Cardinals to take their decided lead.
“I thought it was a close play and just made a bad throw,” Freeland said after the Dodgers’ 5-3 loss. “Every day is a learning curve, whether we play good or we play bad, there’s something to learn from it every single day.
“So take today’s lesson and move on.”
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