Kim Hye-seong (Los Angeles Dodgers) has been ordered to sit on the bench again despite his season batting average of .395 as a left-handed starting pitcher emerges.
The Dodgers are preparing for the second game of a three-game road series against the New York Mets at Citi Field in Flushing, New York, on the 25th (Korea time).
The Dodgers have set their lineup against the Mets’ starting left-handed pitcher David Peterson, which includes Shohei Ohtani (designated hitter), Mookie Betts (shortstop), Teoscar Hernández (right fielder), Freddie Freeman (first baseman), Andy Pajes (left fielder), Tommy Edman (center fielder), Kiké Hernández (third baseman), Dalton Rushing (catcher), and Miguel Rojas (second baseman).
With the Mets announcing a left-handed starting pitcher, Kim Hye-seong was not included in the starting lineup. The positions of center fielder and second baseman, which are usually held by Kim Hye-seong, will be occupied by switch hitter Edman and right-handed hitter Rojas, respectively.
Looking at Kim Hye-seong's recent game log, he has consistently missed out on starting opportunities regardless of left or right matchups. He was also not included in the starting lineup against right-handed pitchers recently, and with a left-handed pitcher starting that day, it was determined he would sit on the bench again. The day before, Kim Hye-seong came in as a pinch runner and recorded a hit, bringing his season stats to 17 games with a batting average of .395, 1 home run, 5 RBIs, and 9 runs scored. He maintains a high batting average despite limited opportunities.
Meanwhile, the Mets, facing the Dodgers, have set a lineup against Tony Gonsolin that includes Francisco Lindor (shortstop), Starling Marte (left fielder), Juan Soto (right fielder), Pete Alonso (first baseman), Jeff McNeil (second baseman), Luis Lawrence (catcher), Jared Young (designated hitter), Tyrone Taylor (center fielder), and Brett Beatty (third baseman).
Jared Young, who is from the Doosan Bears in the KBO League, has been included in the starting lineup along with his first big league promotion.
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