Hyeseong Kim of the Los Angeles Dodgers will not go to the minor leagues and will remain in Major League Baseball. The Dodgers designated veteran Chris Taylor for assignment (DFA).

The Dodgers adjusted their roster on the 19th (Korean time). On this day, Tommy Edman, who was on the injured list, returned. To facilitate Edman's return to the roster, Taylor was designated for assignment.

ESPN noted, "The Dodgers released veteran utility player Chris Taylor, severing ties with the longtime starter who had been pushed to the end of the bench in recent weeks."

It continued, "Taylor, who has played for the Dodgers since 2016, will be removed from the roster to make room for another utility player, Tommy Edman, who returned from the injured list ahead of the series finale against the Los Angeles Angels on the 19th. By releasing Taylor, the Dodgers will incur an expense of $15 million in the final year of his $60 million, four-year contract, allowing him to become a free agent."

Taylor's release is linked to Kim's consolidation in Major League Baseball. ESPN reported, "The decision to release Taylor is interpreted as a signal that South Korean rookie second baseman Hyeseong Kim will remain in Major League Baseball even if Teoscar Hernández is soon removed from the injured list. The speedy left-handed hitter Kim has recorded 14 hits in 31 at-bats since being called up from Triple-A."

If outfielder Teoscar returns from the injured list, outfielder James Outman is likely to be sent back to Triple-A. Kim will not go down to the minor leagues and can continue to play for the Dodgers.

Due to Kim's impressive performance, the Dodgers released Taylor earlier than expected. Kim has a batting average of .452 in 14 games since being called up, with 14 hits in 31 at-bats, one home run, five RBIs, two walks, three stolen bases, and an OPS of 1.066. Notably, he set a record of reaching base in nine consecutive plate appearances from the game against the Athletics on the 15th to the game against the Angels on the 17th, becoming the first Dodgers rookie to accomplish this since Corey Seager in September 2015.

Taylor struggled this season, appearing in 28 games with 7 hits in 35 at-bats for a batting average of .200, two RBIs, 13 strikeouts, and an OPS of .457. His decline has been evident since last year. In the 2024 season, he posted a batting average of .202, on-base percentage of .298, and slugging percentage of .300 over 87 games.

On the 15th, the Dodgers called up promising catcher Dalton Rushing to the big leagues, designating veteran backup catcher Austin Barnes for assignment. This time, they released veteran Taylor to provide an opportunity for Kim.

Kim signed a three-year, $12.5 million contract with the Dodgers. He will earn $2.5 million (approximately 3.5 billion won) this year. Taylor's salary this year, in the final year of his contract, is $15 million (approximately 21 billion won).

Taylor was traded to the Dodgers from the Seattle Mariners in June 2016 and had a decent performance afterward. From 2017 to 2023, Taylor recorded a slash line of .256/.336/.444 and contributed 17.7 wins above replacement, according to FanGraphs. He was a super utility player who covered six positions including left field, center field, right field, third base, second base, and shortstop.

He performed particularly well in the postseason. ESPN stated, "His best moments came in October. Taylor shared the MVP award with Justin Turner in the 2017 National League Championship Series. In Game 7 of the 2018 National League Championship Series, he made a miraculous catch that preserved a one-run lead and helped secure a victory. In the 2021 Wild Card Game against the St. Louis Cardinals, he hit a walk-off home run, and in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series, he hit three home runs against the Atlanta Braves."

In the 2021 regular season, he recorded a batting average of .254 with 20 home runs and 73 RBIs in 148 games, and with his strong postseason performance, he succeeded in securing a four-year, $60 million contract.

[OSEN]