Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has fielded questions regarding utility man Hyeseong Kim’s playing time for weeks now.

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Kim has started 24 games for the Dodgers this season, and the limited opportunities he’s received has been a hot topic of conversation for the fanbase. Roberts explained why the 26-year-old is used sparingly against left-handed pitching.

“I think given our roster I think I am going to – to some point – run some right-handed hitters out there, namely Kiké (Hernandez) and Miggy Ro (Miguel Rojas), to give them opportunities until I don’t,” Roberts said. “So right now against left-handed pitching, that’s an opportunity for them to get into games.

He added on Kim: “Yeah, he’s showing right now that he’s taking good at-bats against lefties.”

Therefore, Kim’s rare opportunities against lefties is more about the right-handed hitters on the Dodgers’ bench.

Kim is hitting .383 with two home runs, 12 runs batted in, and a .968 OPS across 81 at-bats this season. The utility man also has seven stolen bases.

The Dodgers signed Kim to a three-year, $12.5 million deal last offseason. Just days after the signing, the Dodgers traded starting second baseman Gavin Lux to the Cincinnati Reds.

All signs pointed toward Kim replacing Lux at second, but the utility man began the year in the minors after his struggles adjusting to velocity this spring. Once Tommy Edman landed on the injured list with a right ankle sprain, the Dodgers called Kim up as a temporary replacement.

Kim’s breakout performance forced the Dodgers to keep him on the roster, and he is now expected to get more starts at second base (his best position) as Edman is expected to play more in the outfield with his ankle fully recovered.

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Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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