The Los Angeles Dodgers recently welcomed back Hyeseong Kim, who was activated off the 10-day injured list and added onto their expanded roster for September.
Kim was out of the Dodgers lineup for their series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday, but he did enter as a pinch-runner in the ninth inning and scored on Shohei Ohtani’s RBI double.
That came after Kim encountered some obstacles on his way back to Dodgers as he was stranded at an airport in Oklahoma City for more than half a day.
Kim said it was one of the most challenging experiences he ever had, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“It was very difficult. You’re 100 percent right,” Kim said through his interpreter – who was also stranded at an airport for 14-15 hours on the way to Pittsburgh.
“I’ve never spent so much time at an airport as I did yesterday.”
Kim just completed a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City that saw him go 11-for-34 with one double, one triple and three RBI in nine games.
He made three starts in left field for the Comets, two at shortstop, two as their designated hitter, one in center field and one at second base.
Kim is now back with the Dodgers for the first time since July 29, when he went on the injured list because of left shoulder bursitis.
Kim had been playing through the shoulder injury for at least one week, which compromised his swing. He is still hitting a solid .304/.338/.406 with six doubles, one triple, two home runs, 15 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 59 Major League games.
Hyeseong Kim potentially playing left field
Kim’s return comes as the Dodgers continue to search for consistent production from left field. Manager Dave Roberts mentioned him as one of the options the Dodgers will consider to play the position.
Kim has appeared in 16 games in center field for the Dodgers this season, but otherwise has not played left field since 2020 in the KBO.
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