Dodgers’ Hyeseong Kim Suddenly at Risk of Losing Roster Spot

The Los Angeles Dodgers brought back Kike Hernandez on Monday after he spent the first two months of the season on the injured list recovering from offseason elbow surgery.

Since the beginning of the season, Hernández’s eventual return was expected to signal the end of Santiago Espinal’s time on the roster.

Both are right-handed batsmen and can play third base. Thus, it clearly seemed like the compatible move, especially since designating Espinal for assignment would clear up a 40-man roster spot.

However, that decision has suddenly become a little more interesting.

Hyesong Kim, who remained with the Dodgers when Mookie Betts came off the injured list while Alex Freeland was optioned to Triple-A, has struggled since winning the job.

He has 16 strikeouts and six hits in his last 40 at-bats with an OPS of just .377. Seemingly out of nowhere, he has put himself in a position to potentially be sent back to Triple-A.

Manager Dave Roberts broke down what he was seeing amid Kim’s struggles.

“He’s back to chase,” Roberts said. “He’s inactive when he shouldn’t be, and then he’s coming off a bad count. I don’t know if it’s a mechanical thing. But he’s grinding out the last one – quite honestly, the last month has been pretty tough for him.”

“He’s preparing and competing,” Roberts said, “but right now, it’s not working.”

Roberts said Kim “will be part of the conversation” in terms of who will replace Hernandez on the roster. In addition to Kim and Espinal, there is also a possibility that Max Muncy may be placed on the injured list as he recovers after being hit by the pitch for the first time.

Roberts said, “Obviously we have to make a decision with Kiké. I expect Max to not be on the IL.” “You’ve got a spot, and you’re taking Espinal and seeing what value he brings to our ballclub and coverage, and Kim is an infielder. To be completely honest, that’s where we’re at.”

“Love both of those guys, but we have to have tough conversations.”

Espinal still appears to be the more obvious choice as the Dodgers value Kim’s defense and speed as well as his left-handed bat. Furthermore, it seems redundant to have both Hernandez and Espinal on the roster.

Also, the Dodgers may prefer to keep Espinal in the organization with Kim moving back to Triple-A to get back on track. Espinal may not be optioned, meaning the Dodgers would risk losing him on waivers.

If the Dodgers go with Kim, or place Muncy on the IL, they will have to clear a spot on the 40-man roster. However, this won’t be difficult, as they could do so by moving Blake Snell or Brock Stewart to the 60-day injured list.

Neither Snell nor Stewart are expected to be taken off the injured list before the 60 days are up.

Sign up for our free newsletter and follow us on X/Twitter and Facebook for the latest news.