South Korean Star Kim Hye-seong Called Up to Dodgers After Mookie Betts Injury

Dodgers star Mookie Betts expected to miss a few games with a back injury, opening the door for Kim's MLB debut.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 4:19am

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The Los Angeles Dodgers have called up South Korean outfielder Kim Hye-seong from their minor league affiliate, the Oklahoma City Comets, after star player Mookie Betts suffered a moderate back injury. Betts is expected to miss at least the next few games as the Dodgers continue their road trip. Kim, who had a strong spring training and played well for South Korea in the World Baseball Classic, will look to make his MLB debut and fill in for the injured Betts.

Why it matters

The Dodgers are one of the top teams in baseball and Mookie Betts is a key part of their lineup, so his injury could have a significant impact on the team's performance in the short term. Kim Hye-seong's call-up represents an opportunity for the young South Korean prospect to prove himself at the major league level.

The details

Mookie Betts experienced back pain after scoring a run in the Dodgers' win over the Washington Nationals on Saturday. Manager Dave Roberts decided to pull Betts from the lineup as a precaution, with Miguel Rojas taking his place. While the Dodgers believe Betts' injury is moderate rather than serious, they expect him to miss at least the next few games. In a corresponding move, the Dodgers have called up Kim Hye-seong from their Triple-A affiliate, the Oklahoma City Comets. Kim had a strong spring training with the Dodgers and performed well for South Korea in the World Baseball Classic, hitting a home run. So far this season with the Comets, Kim has been batting .346 with an OPS of .823.

  • On April 5, 2026, Mookie Betts suffered a back injury during the Dodgers' game against the Washington Nationals.
  • Kim Hye-seong was a late scratch from the Oklahoma City Comets' lineup on April 5, 2026 due to being called up to the Dodgers.

The players

Mookie Betts

A star outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers who was recently injured and is expected to miss a few games.

Kim Hye-seong

A South Korean outfielder who has been called up from the Dodgers' minor league affiliate, the Oklahoma City Comets, to fill in for the injured Mookie Betts.

Dave Roberts

The manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Miguel Rojas

A Dodgers player who took Mookie Betts' spot in the lineup after Betts was pulled due to injury.

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What they’re saying

“Although Roberts said following the game that they believe Betts' injury is "moderate instead of serious," the team is expecting Betts to sit for at least the next few games as they continue their road trip in the nation's capital before a rematch of the World Series in Toronto against the Blue Jays.”

— Dave Roberts, Manager, Los Angeles Dodgers

What’s next

The Dodgers will continue their road trip in Washington D.C. and then head to Toronto to face the Blue Jays, with Kim Hye-seong expected to fill in for the injured Mookie Betts during that time.

The takeaway

This injury to Mookie Betts presents an opportunity for the Dodgers' top prospect Kim Hye-seong to make his MLB debut and prove he can contribute at the major league level. It also highlights the depth and talent in the Dodgers' organization, as they are able to call up a highly touted player to fill in for an injured star.