*This content was translated by AI.
The bitter atmosphere at the scene where Kim Hye-seong (27, LA Dodgers) received notification of her demotion to the minor leagues after a fierce battle for a spot on the Major League Baseball (MLB) roster was conveyed through a sigh from a local reporter.
Jack Harris of the local media outlet "Los Angeles Times" reported on the 30th (Korean time) via his SNS that "sources say the Dodgers have optioned Kim Hye-seong to the minor leagues (demoted her)." Fabian Ardia of the U.S. sports specialty outlet "The Athletic" also confirmed the news, stating, "Kim Hye-seong's position had been unstable since before Kike Hernandez's injury."
Dave Roberts (54), LA Dodgers manager, confirmed Kim Hye-seong's demotion, saying, "Her swing has changed in recent at-bats. Rather than in the fiercely competitive (expressed as a 'hot corner') major leagues, she will reset her swing in Triple-A."
According to local reporters, Kim Hye-seong was seen packing her belongings in the locker room ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies game that day. Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register, a California-based media outlet covering the scene, expressed his regret on his SNS. Plunkett said, "Kim Hye-seong's character, diligence, and work ethic are her greatest strengths," highly praising her professional attitude toward both teammates and the media.
However, in the cold world of the major leagues, character and diligence alone were not enough to survive. Plunkett continued, "Unfortunately, those strengths came alongside a batting average of 0.174 over the last 17 games," pointing out that severe hitting slumps ultimately became her downfall.
In fact, Kim Hye-seong had dramatically survived on the 26th-man major league roster even at the time of Kike Hernandez's return on the 26th, as Santiago Espinal was designated for assignment (DFA). This was because the team highly valued her worth as a left-handed utility infielder with speed, as well as her diligence.
However, her opportunity did not last long. Another infielder, Alex Freeland, was called up to take Kim Hye-seong's spot, but Kike's move to the injured list extended Kim Hye-seong's survival a bit longer. Afterward, the Dodgers organization also brought back Espinal, who had gained free agent status after being DFA'd, and ultimately made the decision to send Kim Hye-seong down to the minor leagues as her hitting slump deepened.
However, as manager Roberts noted, this move to the minor leagues is not an end, but a process for a "reset." If she can reorganize her hitting mechanics in Triple-A and sharpen her strengths of speed and multi-position defensive ability once again, the opportunity to return to the major leagues could come at any time.
On the harsh testing ground of "survival in the big leagues," Kim Hye-seong has taken a brief respite. Whether she can return confidently to Dodger Stadium through a display of power in Triple-A marks the beginning of her lonely and fierce comeback.
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*This content was translated by AI.
