Seoul: Kim Hye-seong has made his season debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers just hours after being recalled from the minors. Kim entered the game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in Washington on Sunday as a defensive replacement at second base. Alex Freeland began at second base and batted ninth but was substituted by pinch hitter Kyle Tucker during the Dodgers' four-run rally in the top of the eighth. With Tucker being an outfielder, Kim took Freeland's spot on the field to start the bottom of the eighth, as the Dodgers went on to win the game 8-6.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Dodgers promoted Kim from Triple-A Oklahoma City before the game, after All-Star shortstop Mookie Betts was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain. Kim will primarily fill in at shortstop, sharing duties with Miguel Rojas. Kim, who bats left-handed, will start against right-handed pitchers.
Betts sustained his injury during Saturday's game. After walking in the top of the first inning, he scored from first base on a double and then felt discomfort in his right lower back area while running. An MRI revealed the oblique strain, which the Dodgers believe occurred during a checked swing in his only plate appearance.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated that Kim is likely to start two out of three games in the Dodgers' upcoming series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre in Toronto. This series is a rematch of the 2025 World Series and begins on Monday.
Kim, now in his second season in the United States, had a strong spring training but started the season in the minors to further develop his swing. He batted 11-for-27 (.407) in nine games but struck out eight times and drew just one walk. In six games with Oklahoma City, Kim went 9-for-26 (.346), with seven strikeouts against four walks.
As a rookie in 2025, Kim batted .280/.314/.385 with three home runs, 17 RBIs, and 13 steals in 71 games. He played second base, shortstop, and center field. Kim joins San Francisco Giants outfielder Lee Jung-hoo as the only two South Koreans currently on a big league roster.