According to a team announcement on Saturday afternoon, the Los Angeles Dodgers have recalled infielder Hyeseong Kim from Triple-A Oklahoma City while placing utility man Tommy Edman on the 10-day injured list with right ankle inflammation. The IL placement for Edman is retroactive to April 30, meaning he could potentially return to action in a week if his recovery progresses well.
Kim will join the club in Atlanta and potentially make his MLB debut during this weekend’s series against the Braves. The 26-year-old’s promotion comes exactly four months after signing a three-year, $12.5 million contract with the organization on January 3, 2025.
Kim’s Journey to the Majors
Kim joined the Dodgers this past offseason after establishing himself as a standout performer in the Korean Baseball Organization. During his eight-year KBO career, he compiled impressive numbers with a .304/.364/.403 slash line while showcasing elite speed with 211 stolen bases and providing solid power with 37 home runs.
Despite his success in Korea, Kim experienced significant adjustment challenges during spring training this year with the Dodgers, going just 6-for-29 with 11 strikeouts in Cactus League play. These struggles led the Dodgers to option him to Triple-A on March 11, hoping to provide him with a more comfortable environment to refine his swing mechanics.
The decision has paid dividends, as Kim has shown considerable promise at Oklahoma City. Through 28 games, he’s batting .252 with five home runs, 19 RBI and a .798 OPS. Perhaps most impressively, he’s stolen 13 bases without being caught, demonstrating the speed that made him such an attractive free agent target.
Filling Edman’s Role
Edman’s move to the injured list creates a significant void for the Dodgers to fill. The 29-year-old utility player, who earned NLCS MVP honors in 2024, has been a key contributor this season, batting .252 with eight home runs and 24 RBI while providing defensive versatility.
Kim will join Miguel Rojas and Enrique Hernández as options to cover second base during Edman’s absence. A four-time Gold Glove winner at second base and shortstop in South Korea, Kim has also been playing center field at Triple-A, giving manager Dave Roberts additional flexibility with his lineup construction.
“Getting him exposed to real big league pitching, there’s just no real way to simulate that,” General Manager Brandon Gomes said about Kim’s development. “You see a lot of guys [from overseas], it takes a little bit of time to get adjusted.”
Impact on the Dodgers
The timing of Kim’s promotion suggests the organization believes he’s ready to contribute at the major league level, even if his recent Triple-A production has cooled somewhat. After a hot 13-game start where he batted .293 with a .963 OPS, Kim has hit just .211 over his last 15 games.
Nevertheless, the Dodgers front office remains encouraged by his progress. “The numbers are good. The swing is taking real steps forward,” Gomes noted. “He’s completely bought in, and [his improvement is] actually happening and performing even better than we expected this early.”
For a Dodgers team already dealing with several key injuries, Kim’s arrival provides a much-needed injection of speed and defensive prowess. While Edman’s absence will certainly be felt, especially given his postseason heroics last year and solid start to 2025, Kim’s debut offers an intriguing glimpse at a player the organization clearly views as an important piece of their future.
The Dodgers will now have an opportunity to evaluate whether Kim’s adjustments at Triple-A will translate to major league success, potentially giving them another versatile weapon as they continue their pursuit of another World Series championship.