Los Angeles Dodgers rookie Hyeseong Kim has been battling a left shoulder injury, according to manager Dave Roberts.
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“I think it’s been affecting his swing a little bit…I think that’s some of the reason why there’s a little bit more swing and miss than there has been,” Roberts said.
Kim went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts Friday night at Fenway Park, an indication that the shoulder issue had been plaguing the utility man. In the second game of the three-game series against the Boston Red Sox, Kim showed some improvement as he recorded two hits.
It’s unclear if the Dodgers rookie will spend time on the injured list, but the team is already short-handed with both Max Muncy and Kiké Hernandez on the IL.
Typically, Roberts does not start Kim when a left-handed pitcher is on the mound. However, Kim started on Saturday against Red Sox lefty Garrett Crochet.
Kim’s injury is concerning given how the Dodgers infield is currently constructed. Utility man Tommy Edman has mainly played at third base for the Dodgers in this recent stretch of games. Edman, Hernandez, and Miguel Rojas were expected to split starts at the hot corner depending on the pitching matchups.
However, Rojas has mostly been in the lineup as the starting shortstop or second baseman.
Kim is hitting .311 with two home runs, 15 runs batted in and an OPS of .760 this season. Though the Dodgers rookie began the season in the minors, he’s quickly shown he can provide value on both offense and defense.
As the Dodgers enter a crucial part of the season, the hope is that Kim can avoid an IL stint.
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Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
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