The Los Angeles Dodgers are calling up offseason international free agent acquisition Hyeseong Kim, according to The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya. Second baseman Tommy Edman has not played since April 29 and is dealing with an ankle injury.
“Tommy Edman has started 22 of the Dodgers’ first 31 games at second base,” wrote Ardaya. “He hasn’t played since Tuesday, when he stretched a tendon in his right ankle sliding into third base against the Miami Marlins. Edman went through pregame drills on Friday, hoping to be back in the lineup as soon as Saturday if all went well.”
The news of Kim’s call-up could indicate an injured list stint for Edman. Kim played eight seasons for the Kiwoom Heroes in the Korean Baseball Organization. The Dodgers signed him to a three-year, $12.5 million deal in the offseason. He hit just .207 in spring training and started the year in Triple-A Oklahoma City. In 28 games, he is slashing .252/.328/.470. He has five home runs and 19 RBIs to go along with his 13 steals.
He has seen time at second base, shortstop, and center field in Triple-A. He could slot in while Edman heals, but he could give the Dodgers a reason to keep him in the big leagues.
When Edman returns, if Kim has earned his keep, he could be tried out in left field, or the Dodgers could replace Max Muncy at third base with Edman. When he debuts, Kim will be the 29th Korean-born player in MLB history.
