Hyeseong Kim has a Multi-Hit Game in Rehab Debut
It was a good day at the plate in OKC for Hyeseong Kim
TACOMA, WA—While the Los Angeles Dodgers salvaged a series split with the Colorado Rockies, another position player also began their minor league rehab assignment with the Oklahoma City Comets.
Joining fellow utilityman Kiké Hernández yesterday in Tacoma was Hyeseong Kim, who is beginning his first rehab games since being placed on the 10-day injured list in July with a shoulder injury.
Like Hernández, Kim got off to a hot start, collecting two hits in three at-bats and one run scored. It was a good day for the offense as Hernández also collected two hits.
Kim, 26, quickly gained popularity after a fiery debut in his Major League career following his call-up in May. Although he posted an elite slash line, the Dodgers hesitated to give the former KBO star regular playing time, especially refusing to play him against left-handed pitchers.
Kim has struggled in July (as did much of the Dodgers' offense), hitting .204/.218/.222 with a .440 OPS and 20 wRC+, along with seeing his strikeout rate nearly double to 40.0% in fifty-four at-bats.
That steep decline could be blamed on his injured shoulder, which mainly affected Kim’s at-bat quality, per Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
Kim’s rehab debut last night was notable because he played in left field, a position he hadn't appeared in at the major league level this season. Although he has played there before, this move suggests the Dodgers may be considering alternative options for their outfield depth as they approach the postseason.
If all goes well over the next few days, both Kim and Hernández are expected to rejoin the team next week during the upcoming homestand.
Injuries on their roster have plagued the Dodgers since July, and with Tanner Scoot and Kirby Yates each expected to rejoin the team in San Digeio this weekend, the roster is starting to get healthy at the right time.