Enrique Hernandez of the Los Angeles Dodgers (34) has been excluded from the starting lineup for two consecutive games. This has led to interest in whether Hyeseong Kim (26) will be called up to the big leagues.
The Dodgers will field a starting lineup for their game against the Detroit Tigers on the 29th (Korean time) at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, consisting of Shohei Ohtani (designated hitter), Mookie Betts (shortstop), Freddie Freeman (first baseman), Teoscar Hernandez (right fielder), Max Muncy (third baseman), Tommy Edman (second baseman), Michael Conforto (left fielder), Andy Pahyes (center fielder), and Austin Barnes (catcher). Enrique Hernandez has been excluded from the starting lineup for two consecutive games.
Enrique Hernandez is a veteran utility player with a career batting average of .238 (1,416 hits in 3,495 at-bats), 121 home runs, 438 runs batted in, 486 runs scored, 17 stolen bases, and an OPS of .712 over 1,185 Major League games. He can play various positions across the infield and outfield, making him highly valuable to the team, and he is beloved by Dodgers fans, often referred to by the nickname 'Kike.'
Considering the positions and roles, Enrique Hernandez overlaps with Hyeseong Kim. Kim, who signed a 3+2 year contract worth up to $22 million (approximately 32.4 billion won) with the Dodgers last winter, is a representative Korean infielder with a career batting average of .304 (1,043 hits in 3,433 at-bats), 37 home runs, 386 runs batted in, 591 runs scored, 211 stolen bases, and an OPS of .767 in the KBO League. However, in this year's Major League spring training, he recorded a batting average of .207 (6 hits in 29 at-bats), 1 home run, 3 runs batted in, 6 runs scored, and 2 stolen bases in 15 games, and ended up starting the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers.
However, if Enrique Hernandez's condition does not improve, there is a possibility that Hyeseong Kim could be called up to fill the vacancy. Enrique Hernandez has recently been in a state of not eating properly, which is why he has been excluded from the starting lineup for two consecutive games. The Dodgers have already experienced similar symptoms with star player Mookie Betts, who missed games during the Tokyo series due to vomiting and lost about 8 kg.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he hopes Enrique Hernandez's symptoms are not the same as Betts'. However, despite the statement that he could return in a day, there is also a possibility that Hernandez's absence could be prolonged while resting on the bench for two consecutive games.
Hyeseong Kim will participate in the season opener of the Triple-A Oklahoma City team on this day. Will Hyeseong Kim be able to realize his dream of debuting in the Major Leagues sooner than expected?
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