'Batting Average Against Left-Handed Pitchers 0.077' Kim Hye-seong Excluded from Starting Lineup; 'Former KIA' Eric Lauer Makes LAD Starting Debut; Rohas to Play Second Base

*This content was translated by AI.

LA Dodgers' Kim Hye-seong (27) failed to overcome his weakness against left-handed pitchers and was once again excluded from the starting lineup. Although he recorded two hits and one walk with one hit on the previous day (26th), he remained on the bench for the game against the left-handed starting pitcher.

On the 27th (Korean time), the Dodgers announced their starting lineup ahead of their home game against the Colorado Rockies at the UCLA Field at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, USA, for the '2026 Major League Baseball (MLB)' season.

With Colorado starting left-handed pitcher Kyle Freeland, Kim Hye-seong was left on the bench due to the team's platoon system. Veteran utility player Miguel Rojas was named as the eighth hitter and second baseman to fill Kim Hye-seong's spot. The shortstop position remains occupied by regular starter Mookie Betts.

Kim Hye-seong has recorded a batting average of 0.257 (29 hits in 113 at-bats), one home run, 10 RBIs, five stolen bases, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.652 this season, but his severe performance disparity against left- and right-handed pitchers remains a major issue. While he showed solid performance against right-handed pitchers with a batting average of 0.280 (28 hits in 100 at-bats), he has struggled significantly against left-handed pitchers, posting a batting average of just 0.077 (1 hit in 13 at-bats).

The Dodgers' lineup for the day was Shohei Ohtani (designated hitter), Andy Pages (center fielder), Freddie Freeman (first baseman), Mookie Betts (shortstop), Kyle Tucker (right fielder), Teoscar Hernandez (left fielder), Will Smith (catcher), Miguel Rojas (second baseman), and Kike Hernandez (third baseman). The Dodgers' starting pitcher was Eric Lauer.

Lauer, who played for the KIA Tigers during the 2024 season, makes his first appearance in a Dodgers uniform. He will start against the Colorado Rockies in his debut game.

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*This content was translated by AI.