Dodgers face tough Hyeseong Kim question amid Mookie Betts news
Dodgers face tough Hyeseong Kim question amid Mookie Betts news originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Hyeseong Kim just hit a home run in Wednesday's series-sweeping 8-2 win against the New York Mets . His production this season has put the Los Angeles Dodgers in a dilemma with Mookie Betts ' return date closing in.
Kim was brought in from the minors when Betts got injured. The utilityman has done nothing wrong since, slashing .278/.391/.500 with a home run and 0.3 fWAR in eight games. The Dodgers can't simply send him to Triple-A, especially after he basically demanded a roster spot.
"I’m happy for sure, just being able to play at the major league level, it’s obviously a lot of fun. And I want to stay at the major league level,” Kim said . “I’m trying to show it with my actions and how I go about my day, and I’ll show it on the field.”
The Dodgers still have time to react to this dilemma as Betts' 10-day injured list stint (oblique) is likely to get extended after the shortstop shared the latest update with Dodgers insider David Vassegh.
“I’m able to throw," Betts said . "Running, I feel it, but it’s not that bad. I haven’t started hitting yet but we’re doing med ball throws. We want to get fully comfortable with throwing a med ball and not having any hesitation with that before we start swinging.
“Just because I don’t want to start developing bad habits, because I’m scared to swing. But I mean, with all that being said, things are going great. It’s just an oblique, and it’s going to take time.”
Once Betts returns, the Dodgers could probably use Kim's positional flexibility. The Dodgers won't mind solving this juggle as they enjoy their good start to the season.
More: What happened to Mookie Betts? Why injury knocked Dodgers star out of game
Hyeseong Kim reveals his plans going forward
Staying on the Dodgers roster as long as he can is Hyeseong Kim's top priority, but he's also making sure to consistently improve his game. He has the coaching staff to give him answers and he's taking all the inputs.
“I was obviously super happy running the bases, and because it was our first run, I felt like I was able to help in that sense. But also, after that, I struck out three times, so a little down on myself,” Kim said through interpreter Dean Kim.
“I believe there are a lot of things that I could get better at that I need to work on, and just by having the best coaching staff, all I really have to do is just follow their lead, communicate with them, and take their instructions. Following their instruction is all I need to do.”
The utilityman continues to get a good role with Betts out. But practically, it will be difficult to keep him on unless the Dodgers find a way through this dilemma.
More Dodgers news:
Dodgers lean into Shohei Ohtani-only pitching strategy
Shohei Ohtani dominates as Dodgers drop hammer on miserable Mets
Is there any reason to worry about Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani’s arm after latest comments?
Dodgers' Alex Vesia reveals heartfelt meaning behind post-save gesture
Dodgers’ Alex Vesia describes unmatched 'adrenaline' during clutch save on 30th birthday
