Kim Hye-seong of the Los Angeles Dodgers has been excluded from the starting lineup. Tommy Edman will start at second base in place of Kim Hye-seong for three consecutive games. Is this lineup a rehearsal for the Tokyo opening series?

Kim Hye-seong was excluded from the starting lineup for the home game against the Cincinnati Reds in the Major League Baseball spring training, held at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, on the 5th (Korean time).

On this day, the Dodgers had Shohei Ohtani (designated hitter), Mookie Betts (shortstop), Freddie Freeman (first baseman), Teoscar Hernandez (right fielder), Will Smith (catcher), Max Muncy (third baseman), Tommy Edman (second baseman), Chris Taylor (left fielder), and Andy Pahes (center fielder) in the starting lineup.

On the 2nd, he hit an inspiring solo home run against the San Francisco Giants, signaling an end to his slump. However, on the following day, the 3rd, he was excluded from the starting lineup for both split-squad games against the Oakland Athletics and the Chicago White Sox. He was brought in as a substitute in the game against the White Sox but ended up with a Samjin.

Kim Hye-seong is currently facing a crisis. On the 4th, MLB.com predicted the roster for the Tokyo opening series, but Kim Hye-seong's name was missing. The media expected Edman to take over as the starting second baseman.

The media noted, "In the offseason, the Dodgers acquired Kim Hye-seong and traded Gavin Lux to Cincinnati. It seemed likely that Kim Hye-seong would occupy an unstable second base position. However, Manager Dave Roberts has left the possibility open for Kim Hye-seong to start the season in the minor leagues to adapt to faster pitching. This means Edman is likely to take over at second base."

In the outfield, Michael Conforto, Teoscar Hernandez, and Andy Pahes were anticipated. Pahes was a player competing for the roster spot with Kim Hye-seong. The media forecasted, "Pahes showed good performances against left-handed pitchers last year and has become a player worth looking forward to in 2025. If Edman takes on the second base role, Pahes could spend significant time in center field."

Additionally, in the bench and institutional sector utility player category, Kim Hye-seong is behind Kiké Hernandez, Miguel Rojas, and Chris Taylor. The media stated, "Hernandez and Taylor are right-handed super utility options that can cover both infield and outfield. Rojas can back up Mookie Betts at shortstop and can also play other infield positions as needed."

This day’s starting lineup aligns with the media's predictions. Edman started at second base, and Pahes took the field in center. Notably, Edman has started at second base for three consecutive games, including this one. He started at second base against the Angels on the 1st (3 at-bats, 2 hits, 1 home run, 1 run batted in), and against the Oakland Athletics on the 3rd (3 at-bats, 0 hits), also as a starter at second base.

During this spring training, the share of playing at second base is much higher. Excluding one game where he started at center against Colorado on the 28th, he has played at second base in 5 of the 6 games. Including today’s game, it’s already his 6th starting appearance at second base. He has accumulated 24 defensive innings at second base, compared to 5 innings in center field.

Moreover, on this day, two Japanese pitchers, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki, will take the mound simultaneously. While it could be a mere coincidence, it wouldn’t be strange to feel that today’s lineup is a rehearsal for the Tokyo opening series.

[OSEN]