The Los Angeles Dodgers are welcoming back shortstop Mookie Betts, finally putting to rest one of two big questions regarding the infield: Hyeseong Kim or Alex Freeland?
With Kim, Freeland and Santiago Espinal all listed as possibilities for losing a roster spot, the Dodgers decided to option Freeland, a move that was welcomed by many fans of Dodgers Nation.
Advertisement
What are people saying about Hyeseong Kim and Alex Freeland?
Many are celebrating Kim, who was sent to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets ahead of the start of the regular season.
With Betts’ injury, though, Kim was called up to the majors, and so far, he’s made a solid impact.
He’s already outhitting himself from last year, slashing .289/.353/.395/.748 in 2026.
Apr 15, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Hyeseong Kim celebrates after hitting a two-run home run against the New York Mets in the second inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Given that performance, it’s no surprise so many Dodgers fans are excited about Kim remaining in the majors.
“Hyeseong is safe. Thank the baseball gods,” wrote @wettyfap666.
“Freeland’s glove will be missed but HS Kim’s bat is more consistent and Espinal can play 3rd giving Muncy rest,” wrote @eaner0919.
“Good choice. Freeland needs more reps in the minors. His bat is not big league ready yet,” added @whosjayce__.
Advertisement
That commenter makes a good point, as Freeland is slashing .235/.309/.337/.646 this season.
Other fans, though, were a bit more even-keeled, specially given that it was Freeland, not Espinal, who is being sent down.
What about Santiago Espinal?
“Happy that Kim is staying but it should’ve been Espinal (respectfully) Freeland has been doing good,” wrote @ssmith__1988.
“That’s an interesting move. Espinal has been so bad offensively I thought that would have been the way to go,” wrote @gonzsteve.
Espinal is hitting significantly worse than Freeland at .188/.188/.250/.438.
Yes, his batting average and on-base percentage are the same because Espinal has not been walked this season. He has, however, had some prominent strikeouts.
Advertisement
That led some analysts and fans to predict that Espinal will remain with the team for another couple of weeks until utility player Kike Hernandez returns to the squad.
Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain predicted that Espinal will be designated for assignment at some point. It’s just a matter of when.
“They’re going to DFA Santiago Espinal,” McKain explained. “I mean, there’s just no spot on the roster for him. And he could find a spot with another team, another opportunity somewhere else. But it’s baseball. It’s a tough business, man. It really only [has] 700 of these jobs in the world, man. It’s not an easy sport to make a living at.”