The 27-year-old played in all of Korea\u2019s first three matches at the WBC, and went 1-for-10 with two walks, three RBIs and one home run. His efforts helped propel Team Korea into the knockout stages<\/a> of the WBC for the first time since the second installment of the tournament in 2009.<\/p>\n While Team Korea is level with Chinese Taipei and Australia on record, their run difference after a 7-2 win against Australia on Monday is the best of the three, placing them second in the group. With Czechia sitting at an 0-3 record, no team can catch them before group play ends.<\/p>\n They will face Pool D\u2019s winner in the knockout rounds, with the Dominican Republic or Venezuela likely to serve as their opponent.<\/p>\n Before leaving the Dodgers to go to the WBC, Kim had been making a solid case for himself to serve as the Dodgers\u2019 Opening Day second baseman.<\/p>\n Tommy Edman \u2014 who filled the role for most of last season \u2014 will miss the beginning of the regular season<\/a> as he recovers from offseason ankle surgery, meaning the spot is up for grabs. If Kim is to miss an extended amount of time, though, another player will have to fill in for the time being.<\/p>\n Santiago Espinal is the clear choice at the moment, as he\u2019s been on a tear all spring and manager Dave Roberts said it\u2019s \u201chard to imagine\u201d<\/a> him being left off the Opening Day roster. Other potential options include Alex Freeland and Ryan Fitzgerald, who both remain in big league camp after two rounds of cuts.<\/p>\n If the injury isn\u2019t serious and Kim can return soon, though, he\u2019ll look to continue to impress so he can secure the starting spot he\u2019s been pursuing.<\/p>\n Who is your choice for second base if Hyeseong Kim misses time?<\/p>\n LA Baseball Report<\/p>\n Get the app for faster news<\/p>\n![\"Los](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Hyeseong-Kim-Dodgers.jpg\")
Feb 26, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Hyeseong Kim against the Chicago White Sox during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesWhat Does Hyeseong Kim\u2019s Injury Mean for the Dodgers?<\/p>\n![\"App](\"https:\/\/dodgersnation.com\/path\/to\/app-icon.png\"){kind=icon}
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