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| LA Dodgers Kim Hye-sung is announcing his imminent return as he has performed all defense, hitting and running training. AP Yonhap News |
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Will it lead to a long-term injury?
Kim Hye-sung, who played a super utility role for the LA Dodgers in the Major League, failed to return to the starting lineup again.
The Los Angeles Dodgers will play a home game against the Totonto Blue Jays at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California on the morning of the 10th (Korea time). However, Kim Hye-sung's name was not included in the starting list announced about three hours before the game. Alex Freeland, a promising player who was called up to the Major League after Kim Hye-sung's injury, was listed as the eighth batter and second baseman.
Initially, Kim Hye-sung was expected to play his return match as early as the 9th against Toronto. Kim Hye-sung entered the 10-day injured list (IL) the next day immediately after going 0-for-3 against the Cincinnati Reds on July 29. The diagnosis was that he could not swing properly with his left shoulder 'burtitis'. Kim Hye-sung left the team on the road and returned to LA, and immediately started injection treatment.
The condition is said to be improving rapidly. Kim Hye-sung started training normally again from the 5th. He prepared to return by rechecking every aspect, including running, hitting, and ground defense. LA Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also said of Kim Hye-sung's condition on the 7th, `He is recovering well. He said he recovered 90%, which means 80-85%. The IL registration period will be shorter."
Considering this situation, Kim Hye-sung's return time seemed likely against Toronto on the 9th. However, Kim Hye-sung was not able to participate in the game on the day. Then, the return to the starting lineup was also canceled against Toronto at home on the 10th. Freeland is the starting second baseman on both the 9th and 10th.
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| Alex Freeland, who entered the big league when Kim Hye-sung was on the IL, hits in the second inning against St. Louis on the 6th (Korea time). ImagesYonhap News |
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This can be interpreted in two ways. One is the possibility that Kim Hye-sung's injury is recovering slower than expected. As Roberts said, his condition may have improved immediately after receiving injection treatment. However, pain may have occurred again when he actually started training and put a load on his shoulder due to hitting and throwing. This is what happens frequently when a player with shoulder inflammation tries to hurry to return but overstretches. In this case, you should rest until the pain disappears again.
The second is that the Dodgers do not rush to return 'Doesn't have to?' Kim Hye-sung is not actually a player who can control the team's power. It's a bit disappointing if it's realistically out, but it's not a player that's big enough to shake the team's fate. Therefore, there is no reason to rush Kim Hye-sung's return.
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| Alex Freeland. ImagesYonhap News |
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In addition, there is an aspect of providing more opportunities for Freeland, who has been called up to the big leagues after Kim Hye-sung's injury.
Freeland, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third round (105 times overall) in 2022, made his big league debut by starting at No. 9 third base against the Cincinnati Reds on July 31. He continued to come out as third baseman, but when Max Muncy returned from a knee injury on the 5th, he moved to second baseman. Tommy Edman also entered the IL due to a right ankle injury and Kim Hye-sung was absent.
There is no urgency for the Dodgers. As Kim Hye-sung and Edman are set to return one after another, it may be better for the future to provide Freeland with more opportunities to play. Therefore, it seems that Kim Hye-sung was excluded from the starting lineup on the 10th following the 9th. If the injury recurred, you should go back on the IL. However, the Dodgers did not announce the re-registration of Kim Hye-sung on the IL. The situation is not bad as long as the injury has not recurred.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
