Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Kim Hye-sung (26) will not travel to Tokyo, Japan, for the opening game. He left the last exhibition game before heading to Japan without a hit, and his assignment to the minor leagues has been confirmed.
Kim Hye-sung appeared as a substitute at second base during the exhibition game against the Cleveland Guardians at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, on 12th (Korean time), recording 0-for-2.
After the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noted in an interview with local media that Kim Hye-sung will not go to Tokyo and will start in Triple-A Oklahoma City. He will remain in Arizona to work on adjustments related to changes in his batting form and will be ready for the opening of the Triple-A season.
Kim Hye-sung, who challenged himself in the U.S. by signing a 3+2 year guaranteed $12.5 million contract with the Dodgers in January, was expected to be a candidate for the starting second baseman. Just three days after signing with Kim Hye-sung, the Dodgers traded former starting second baseman Gavin Lux to the Cincinnati Reds, seemingly offering Kim Hye-sung a spot.
However, in the exhibition games, Kim Hye-sung struggled, posting a .267 batting average (6 hits in 29 at-bats) with 1 home run, 3 RBIs, 6 runs, 4 walks, 11 strikeouts, and 2 stolen bases, along with an on-base percentage of .303, a slugging percentage of .310, and an OPS of .613. Although he played more as a shortstop (3 starts in 10 games, 39 innings) than his primary position (second baseman, 2 starts in 5 games, 18 innings) and also appeared in center field (3 games, 10 innings), he did not achieve noticeable improvement in his hitting.
On 2nd, he hit his first home run against the San Francisco Giants but was excluded from the starting lineup in 7 of the next 8 games, appearing only as a substitute. Falling behind in the competition for a starting spot, he ultimately was not included in the 31-member Japan opening trip roster, which featured 5 additional members in the 'taxi squad.'
In the game against Cleveland, Kim Hye-sung, who was excluded from the starting lineup, appeared as a substitute at second base in the 4th inning. He stepped up to the plate for his first at-bat in the bottom of the 5th with 2 outs and a runner on third, facing left-handed pitcher Ryan Webb. With a 2B-2S count, he pulled the 5th pitch—a slider clocked at 87.2 mph (140.3 km/h)—but grounded out to second base.
Kim Hye-sung shifted to center field starting in the top of the 6th inning and recorded an out on a fly ball hit by Dom Núñez in the same inning.
In the 8th inning, he struck out in his second at-bat as a lead-off hitter. He was caught off guard by a slider against left-handed Andrew Misiaszek. On the second pitch outside and the fourth pitch inside, his bat was unable to connect. With a 2B-2S count, he swung and missed at the 5th pitch, a low slider at 86 mph (138.4 km/h), and returned to the dugout.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers will move to Tokyo, Japan, following the completion of this game for a two-game opening series. They will have practice games against the Yomiuri Giants on the 15th and the Hanshin Tigers on the 16th before facing the Chicago Cubs for their opening series on the 18th and 19th. The starting pitcher is confirmed to be Sasaki Rocky on the second day following opening day pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
[OSEN = reporter Lee Sang-hak]