Korean infielder Kim Hye-seong is on the verge of making his Major League Baseball debut after spending the first month and a half of the season in the minors.
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Saturday (local time), prior to their road game against the Atlanta Braves, that they had promoted Kim from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
In a corresponding move, the Dodgers placed infielder Tommy Edman on the 10-day injured list with right ankle inflammation, retroactive to Wednesday.
Kim arrived at Truist Park in Atlanta about two hours prior to first pitch, scheduled for 7:15 p.m. local time, and was not in the starting lineup. The game was in rain delay.
Once Kim takes the field, he will become the 28th South Korean player to appear in an MLB game, joining a list that includes current San Francisco Giants outfielder Lee Jung-hoo, Kim's former teammates on the Kiwoom Heroes in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO).
After eight years in the KBO, Kim signed a three-year contract worth $12.5 million with the Dodgers in January, with an option for two more years that would give him a chance to make up to $22 million total.
Known for his defensive versatility, speed and bat-to-ball skills, Kim had designs on making the Dodgers' Opening Day roster in March. However, he struggled to a .207 batting average with 11 strikeouts in 29 at-bats in spring training while overhauling his swing.
With Oklahoma City, Kim batted .252 with an on-base plus slugging of .798, while putting up five home runs, 19 RBIs and 13 steals in 28 games. An opportunity finally opened up on a deep Dodgers team when Edman, a half-Korean star who played for South Korea alongside Kim at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, went down with the ankle injury.
"I was very surprised with the callup," Kim told reporters in the dugout before Saturday's game. "My Triple-A manager (Scott Hennessey) told me after the game last night that I should pack up and get ready. I'm very excited right now."
Kim said he remains confident despite early-season struggles through his swing change.
"I've had a lot of at-bats with my new swing and I've become more comfortable with it now," Kim added. "There is still a lot of room for improvement but the swing is better than what it used to be at the beginning."
Kim said he was not disappointed or upset that he didn't get to begin the season with the Dodgers.
"I figured it all happened because I didn't play well," he said. "All I wanted to do was work hard and get called up to the majors as soon as possible."
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noted Kim was "playing well" in Triple-A and that his ability to handle multiple positions could come in handy.
"I think the versatility -- the second base, shortstop, center field, the baserunning component -- I think all of that was a factor," Robert said. ""He's making stride. Quite frankly, this can be a good opportunity to see some major league pitching and to see the quality. Also to get his feet wet to make his MLB debut here in the States. I think we're all excited for him."
The Dodgers aren't short of utility-type players who can play the same positions that Kim can. Roberts said he will "figure out to see if there is an opportunity" for Kim to start at some point.
"I think there will be. Right now, (Kim's role will) be to come off the bench and fill in in different spots." (Yonhap)
