After being unable to get playing opportunities due to manager Dave Roberts' excessive platoon system, Kim Hye-seong has made the starting lineup for the first time in six days.
The Dodgers are set to face the Kansas City Royals in an away game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on the 29th (Korean time).
The Dodgers' starting lineup consists of pitcher Shohei Ohtani, shortstop Mookie Betts, first baseman Freddie Freeman, third baseman Max Muncy, right fielder Teoscar Hernández, center fielder Andy Pahes, left fielder Michael Conforto, second baseman Kim Hye-seong, and catcher Dalton Rushing.
Kansas City, with Seth Lugo as the starting pitcher, has arranged its batting order with Jonathan India, Bobby Witt Jr., Maikel Garcia, Vinnie Pasquantino, Salvador Pérez, Jack Canfield, Drew Waters, John Rave, and Kyle Isbel.
As of the 28th, Kim Hye-seong has played in 35 games, with 78 at-bats, 29 hits, a batting average of .372, 2 home runs, 12 RBIs, 15 runs scored, 6 stolen bases, and an OPS of .948.
However, Kim Hye-seong has rarely gotten opportunities due to manager Roberts' excessive platoon system. Local media outlets, including 'Dodgers Nation,' as well as Japanese media, have expressed confusion regarding Roberts' bench management.
Fans have questioned manager Roberts' player utilization on social media, expressing sentiments like, "Why on earth is Kim Hye-seong not being used?" and "He needs to be given a chance to prove himself."
On the 25th, ahead of the away game against the Colorado Rockies, Kim Hye-seong emphasized the importance of maintaining his routine regardless of whether he plays, during an interview with the Dodgers' broadcasting partner, SportsNet LA.
He noted, "Whether I'm in the game or not, I am continuing to maintain the hitting routine I have followed since spring training. Although I haven't been able to play often, I am training daily in the same way and preparing for opportunities."
Kim Hye-seong also stated, "I changed my swing, but there is no satisfaction in baseball. I think I need to prepare harder so that I can get on base and hit safely in every at-bat."
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