Dodgers option Kim to Triple-A, clearing way for Freeland

The Dodgers optioned INF/OF Hyeseong Kim to Triple-A on Sunday, bringing more clarity to how Los Angeles’ Opening Day roster will look come Thursday’s game against Arizona.

With Kim optioned, Miguel Rojas is the top candidate to see time at second base. This move also clears the way for switch-hitting infielder Alex Freeland to claim the final spot on the 26-man roster.

Kim, who was away from the club for a large chunk of time while he played for Team Korea in the World Baseball Classic, batted .407 with a .967 OPS in nine Cactus League games this spring. However, the Dodgers would like for him to continue working on his swing, as he showed a little too much swing-and-miss during Spring Training. Kim struck out eight times in 27 at-bats and walked just once. Freeland, conversely, has impressed the club with his swing decisions. He has struck out 11 times in 43 spring at-bats, but he has also drawn 11 walks.

"It's one of those things that you could argue both sides of either decision, as far as Alex or Hyeseong. And so I just don't think it's clear-cut," manager Dave Roberts said on Friday. "We still haven't seen Hyeseong a bunch. Alex, I think he's taken great at-bats, the numbers, the surface line certainly isn't there, but it's still Spring Training. There's just deeper conversations that are going to be had."

Signed to a three-year, $12.5 million contract prior to last season, Kim batted .280 with a .699 OPS in 71 regular-season games in 2025. He also posted a 30.6% K rate over 170 plate appearances.

Freeland, the Dodgers’ No. 8 prospect, struck out 36.1% of his plate appearances during his ‘25 debut season, but he also posted strong walk and chase rates (11.3% and 19.3%, respectively). Called up on July 29 last year, Freeland hit .190 with a .602 OPS through his first 29 big league games.