The Los Angeles Dodgers‘ Spring Training has just delivered one of the biggest surprises just days before the 2026 MLB season kicks off. The organization has decided to leave Hyeseong Kim off the roster for Opening Day.
The South Korean player has been optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City after a competitive battle with Alex Freeland for a spot, as the team awaits Tommy Edman‘s return to second base.
Why the Dodgers are leaving Hyeseong Kim off the roster
Everything seemed to point toward Kim having the edge to make the team, so the choice of Freeland caught many MLB experts and fans by surprise.
“It was probably the toughest decision of the spring,” manager Dave Roberts told the SportsNet LA broadcast. “There’s no doubt that Hyeseong at some point is going to come help us out.
“I think the driver as far as the outset is giving Hyeseong the opportunity to play every day, play all over the diamond; he’s going to play some shortstop, some center field, some second base there. Whereas here, he wouldn’t have the runway to play more frequently.
“I think with Alex, what he’s done in Triple-A already, he’s played well there and there’s really nothing left for him to prove. So for us, it’s about giving him a little bit of runway to see what we have in him, an opportunity to play here against right-handed pitching and see where it goes.
“But again, it’s really not an indictment on Hyeseong at all. Like I said, we think the world of him as a player, as a teammate, and expect him to help us at some point.”
Before heading to the World Baseball Classic, Kim went 9-for-13 with a home run and five RBIs. He also put together a five-game hitting streak upon his return – yet it wasn’t enough to secure the spot.
On the other hand, Freeland hit just .116 during Spring Training, though he drew 11 walks. He also recorded 11 strikeouts, compared to Kim’s 14.
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