![\"AFP\uc5f0\ud569\ub274\uc2a4\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-union.tenbizt.com\/contents\/crawler-dev\/image\/2026\/06\/CP-2025-0118\/image-661c7dd2-81c0-4589-abea-cff889780383.png\")
[Sports Seoul | Reporter Bae Woo-geun] The Los Angeles Dodgers\u2019 decision to option Kim Hye-seong (27) to the minors has reignited debate in the U.S.<\/p>\n
[Sports Seoul | Reporter Bae Woo-geun] The Los Angeles Dodgers\u2019 decision to option Kim Hye-seong (27) to the minors has reignited debate in the U.S.<\/p>\n
On the 30th (Korean time), the Dodgers sent Kim to Triple-A Oklahoma City and reinstated Santiago Espinal\u2014who had recently been designated for assignment\u2014on the major-league roster.<\/p>\n
U.S. outlets quickly picked up the story.<\/p>\n
Sports Illustrated reported on the 31st that \u201cthe Dodgers plan to lean on Espinal for now while Kim sharpens his hitting in the minors,\u201d and suggested Kim might not return to the big leagues until the second half.<\/p>\n
Team officials pointed to a breakdown in Kim\u2019s hitting mechanics as the reason for the move.<\/p>\n
General manager Brandon Gomes said, \u201cHis hitting setup fell apart, and he\u2019s started reverting to the struggles we saw last year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Manager Dave Roberts added, \u201cKim\u2019s swing has changed. He\u2019s not using his lower half enough, and his bat drifts out. He\u2019s swinging and missing more than early in the season, and lately he\u2019s looked tentative.\u201d<\/p>\n
After his call-up, Kim hit .314 over 26 games, but he\u2019s gone just .174 in his last 17 games. His season line has dropped to a .259 average with a .651 OPS.<\/p>\n
By comparison, Espinal\u2014who took Kim\u2019s roster spot\u2014carries a .571 OPS, and fellow contender Alex Freeland sits at a .616 OPS.<\/p>\n
On the surface, the numbers have prompted fans to question the move. Social feeds have lit up with critics saying the Dodgers are overlooking Kim, with some even arguing his biggest mistake was signing with the organization.<\/p>\n
The controversy dates back to spring training: Kim hit .407 with a .967 OPS but didn\u2019t make the Opening Day roster, while Freeland stuck despite a .125 average and .531 OPS.<\/p>\n
Kim eventually returned to the majors following Mookie Betts\u2019 injury and repeatedly won roster battles\u2014until this latest setback.<\/p>\n
The road back won\u2019t be easy.<\/p>\n
Tommy Edman is currently rehabbing with game action underway, and Freeland remains a player the Dodgers view as part of their future plans. Barring new injuries or a slump from Kim\u2019s rivals, it\u2019s tough to predict when he\u2019ll get another shot in the big leagues.<\/p>\n
kenny@sportsseoul.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Kim Hyesung’s demotion to Triple-A by the LA Dodgers sparks controversy in the U.S. sports community.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/cdn-union.tenbizt.com\/contents\/crawler-dev\/thumbnail\/2026\/06\/CP-2025-0118\/thumb-d4522224-04d2-4640-a01f-e1427f8a0b72.jpg","footnotes":""},"categories":[278095],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-263143","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"yoast_head":"\n