[Breaking News] Kim Hye-seong sent down to the minors after all! Dodgers re-sign Espinal, whom they had designated for assignment, triggering roster changes

*This content was translated by AI.

Ultimately, his fate changed within just four days. LA Dodgers' "comet express" Kim Hye-seong (27), who had dramatically survived on the Major League roster, was ultimately demoted to the minor leagues just four days later.

Jack Harris of the local media outlet "Los Angeles Times" reported on the 30th (Korean time), citing sources, that "the Dodgers have optioned Kim Hye-seong to the minor leagues." Fabian Ardia of The Athletic, a U.S. sports specialty outlet, also confirmed the news, stating, "Kim Hye-seong's position had been unstable since before Kike Hernandez's injury." While the club has not yet issued an official announcement, it appears certain that Kim Hye-seong will be heading to the minors.

Just four days prior, on the 26th, Kim Hye-seong had written a dramatic survival story. At the time, the Dodgers made the decision to designate "Autumn Man" Kike Hernandez, who was returning from the injured list (IL), for assignment (DFA) in favor of "All-Star veteran" Santiago Espinal (32) to make room. This was a choice that highly valued Kim Hye-seong's utility, as he is a left-handed hitter with speed and can also play shortstop.

However, Kim Hye-seong's joy of surviving in the Major Leagues did not last long. Struggling with severe offensive slumps, hitting just 0.178 over his last 15 games, Kim Hye-seong could not find a turning point even after Hernandez's return, and his standing within the team quickly wavered. Kim Hye-seong, who played 43 games in the 2025 Major League season with a batting average of 0.259 (116 at-bats, 30 hits), 1 home run, 11 RBIs, and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.679, is now heading back to the minor leagues. Although he made a substitute appearance as a left fielder in the game against the Colorado Rockies on the 28th, recording 2 at-bats, 1 hit, and 1 run, he could not avoid the demotion.

Instead of sending Kim Hye-seong, who has fallen into a hitting slump, to the minor leagues (Triple-A) for adjustment, the Dodgers decided to bring back the veteran Espinal, who is rich in Major League experience, to fill the infield backup void. Espinal is reportedly already at Dodger Stadium.

Kim Hye-seong, who seemed to have firmly established himself in the Major Leagues with a flashy World Series championship ring in the 2025 season, appeared to have overcome a major hurdle amidst fierce competition, but ultimately received a bitter report card of demotion to the minor leagues within just four days, forcing him to once again challenge for a call-up to the Major Leagues.

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*This content was translated by AI.