Los Angeles Dodgers players expressed their excitement for the upcoming Tokyo Series, just one week away. Meanwhile, Kim Hye-sung (26), who hoped to participate in the Tokyo Series, has started the season in the minor leagues.

Major League Baseball (MLB) official media reported on the 12th that 'as the Tokyo Series against the Cubs approaches in a week, Japanese fans will be able to see players like Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki from the Dodgers, as well as big league players from the Cubs like Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki, playing in Japan.'

The Dodgers will play a two-game season opener against the Cubs on the 18th and 19th at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. Not only will Japanese star players like Ohtani, Yamamoto, Sasaki, Imanaga, and Suzuki be present, but also major league star players like Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Clayton Kershaw (all Dodgers), Justin Turner, Kyle Tucker, and Dansby Swanson (all Cubs), making Japan feel like a festival.

Following last year's Seoul Series, Dodgers players are also looking forward to the Tokyo Series as they open the season overseas for the second consecutive year. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who was born in Okinawa, Japan, said, 'This is the most exciting opening game to start the season in Tokyo. I’ll be able to meet my aunt, uncle, and cousins. I love Japan, and I'm really looking forward to being with three Japanese players. I hope that Americans can learn how to treat people from Japan. It’s truly an honor to play in Japan.'

Yamamoto, who has been announced as the opening game starting pitcher, said, 'Japanese fans will definitely be very happy that we are coming back to Japan. What we can do for the fans is prepare as well as we can and do our best in the games,' expressing confidence for the Tokyo Series.

Dodgers franchise ace Kershaw said, 'I will be going with my family. I’m really looking forward to it. Of course, I’ll be focused on rehabilitation with the team. However, I’ve never been to Japan in my life, and I’ve definitely never been with three Japanese superstars. I just want to stick with them like a fly on the wall and enjoy everything,' he laughed.

Freeman, who was named World Series MVP last year, said, 'I am looking forward to it. I think it will be ten times more amazing than Korea (last year's Seoul Series). That’s because we are with Ohtani, Yoshinobu, and Roki, and the Cubs have Shota and Seiya. I have heard fantastic things about Japan and Tokyo. So, I'm really looking forward to it. And if we can secure two wins, that would be really wonderful.'

Tommy Edman, who played at Tokyo Dome as part of the Korean national team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC), said, 'Going to Tokyo a few years ago for the WBC was really enjoyable. We roamed around various places in Tokyo. Tokyo Dome is a really special place. Just imagining playing there again in front of many fans gets me excited,' looking forward to the Tokyo Series.

As both Dodgers players and Japanese fans look forward to the Tokyo Series, disappointing news was conveyed to Korean fans. Kim Hye-sung, who signed a 3+2 year contract worth up to $22 million (approximately 32 billion won) with the Dodgers this winter, has begun the season in the minor leagues, resulting in his absence from the Tokyo Series.

Kim Hye-sung posted a batting average of .300 over 953 games in the KBO League (3,433 at-bats, 1,043 hits), with 37 home runs, 386 RBIs, 591 runs, and 211 stolen bases, and there were expectations for him to perform in Major League Baseball. However, he faced significant challenges while adjusting his batting form as he transitioned to the major leagues. His spring training performance resulted in a batting average of .267 over 15 games (29 at-bats, 6 hits), with 1 home run, 3 RBIs, 6 runs, and 2 stolen bases, along with frequent defensive errors.

On the 12th, Kim Hye-sung came off the bench in a spring training game against Cleveland, recording no hits in 2 at-bats and 1 strikeout. After the game, Manager Roberts noted in an interview with local media that Kim would start the season with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers instead of participating in the Tokyo Series.

[OSEN = Reporter Gil Jun-young]