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On Monday, the Los Angeles Dodgers designated Santiago Espinal for assignment to make room on the roster for utility Kiké Hernández, who was returning from injury to make his season debut. On Wednesday, the Dodgers placed Hernández back on the IL with a left oblique strain.
By Thursday, Espinal had cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Then, on Friday, the Dodgers re-signed Espinal and optioned utility Hyeseong Kim, according to Jack Harris of the California Post.
When the Dodgers were deciding how to make room for Hernández on Monday, optioning Kim was on the table. But Los Angeles ultimately designated Espinal for assignment.
Now, less than a week later, Espinal is back with the Dodgers, and Kim is heading to Triple-A.
May 23, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Santiago Espinal (21) prior to the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Kim has been struggling through an offensive slump over the last few weeks. In his last 15 games, Kim has slashed .186/.250/.186 while recording 16 strikeouts, four walks, three RBIs and eight hits.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said sending Kim to Triple-A will give him a chance to play and hit every day as he looks to fix his swing.
“I think his swing has changed. I think he’s losing his legs a little bit. I think that coming around the ball a little bit. There’s a lot more swing and miss than there was early,” Roberts said to reporters.
“I think he’s just playing a little bit with my eyes, a little bit more tentative and not as free and easy as he was in some parts of last year and early on. So I think that just kind of getting him back to playing every day, a little bit less of a hot box. He’ll perform back to where he can and will. And so that’s kind of what we’re hoping for.”
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 Images
Kim is expected to be back with the Dodgers at some point this season. Alex Freeland, who the Dodgers optioned on May 11 then recalled on Wednesday, quickly found his way back to Los Angeles after a standout 11-game stretch in Triple-A.
Kim could do the same.
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The post Dodgers Make Roster Swap: Hyeseong Kim Optioned as Santiago Espinal Returns appeared first on LA Sports Report.
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By Thursday, Espinal had cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Then, on Friday, the Dodgers re-signed Espinal and optioned utility Hyeseong Kim, according to Jack Harris of the California Post.
When the Dodgers were deciding how to make room for Hernández on Monday, optioning Kim was on the table. But Los Angeles ultimately designated Espinal for assignment.
Now, less than a week later, Espinal is back with the Dodgers, and Kim is heading to Triple-A.
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May 23, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Santiago Espinal (21) prior to the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Dave Roberts Said Kim Needs to Work on His Swing
Kim has been struggling through an offensive slump over the last few weeks. In his last 15 games, Kim has slashed .186/.250/.186 while recording 16 strikeouts, four walks, three RBIs and eight hits.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said sending Kim to Triple-A will give him a chance to play and hit every day as he looks to fix his swing.
“I think his swing has changed. I think he’s losing his legs a little bit. I think that coming around the ball a little bit. There’s a lot more swing and miss than there was early,” Roberts said to reporters.
“I think he’s just playing a little bit with my eyes, a little bit more tentative and not as free and easy as he was in some parts of last year and early on. So I think that just kind of getting him back to playing every day, a little bit less of a hot box. He’ll perform back to where he can and will. And so that’s kind of what we’re hoping for.”
You must be registered for see images attach
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 Images
Kim is expected to be back with the Dodgers at some point this season. Alex Freeland, who the Dodgers optioned on May 11 then recalled on Wednesday, quickly found his way back to Los Angeles after a standout 11-game stretch in Triple-A.
Kim could do the same.
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The post Dodgers Make Roster Swap: Hyeseong Kim Optioned as Santiago Espinal Returns appeared first on LA Sports Report.
Continue reading...
