Dodgers Choose Freeland Over Kim for Opening Day Roster

Manager Dave Roberts explains decision to keep Alex Freeland on MLB roster over Hyeseong Kim

Mar. 23, 2026 at 12:25am

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The Los Angeles Dodgers broke camp with one final roster decision to make for Opening Day, opting to keep Alex Freeland on the MLB roster over Hyeseong Kim. Manager Dave Roberts cited Freeland's prior experience at Triple-A and the need to give Kim more playing time at Oklahoma City as the key factors in the decision.

Why it matters

The Dodgers are looking to fill a left-handed hitting platoon role at second base until regular starter Tommy Edman returns from injury. This decision shows the team prioritizing playing time and development over immediate MLB production in their roster decisions.

The details

Kim had been in a roster battle with Freeland to be the left-handed hitting platoon option at second base, alongside Miguel Rojas and Santiago Espinal. While Kim had a strong spring, hitting .692 with a 1.154 OPS, Freeland's prior experience at Triple-A and the Dodgers' desire to give Kim more consistent playing time led them to keep Freeland on the Opening Day roster.

  • On March 23, 2026, the Dodgers optioned Hyeseong Kim to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

The players

Dave Roberts

Manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Alex Freeland

Infielder who made the Dodgers' Opening Day roster.

Hyeseong Kim

Infielder who was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Tommy Edman

Dodgers second baseman who is recovering from right ankle surgery.

Miguel Rojas

Dodgers infielder expected to see time at second base.

Santiago Espinal

Dodgers infielder expected to see time at second base.

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What they’re saying

“It was probably the toughest decision of the spring. There's no doubt that Hyeseong at some point is going to come help us out.”

— Dave Roberts, Manager, Los Angeles Dodgers

“I think the driver as far as the outset, is giving Hyeseong the opportunity to play every day, play all over the diamond; he's going to play some short, some center, some second base there. Whereas here, he wouldn't have the runway to play more frequently.”

— Dave Roberts, Manager, Los Angeles Dodgers

“I think with Alex, what he's done in Triple-A already, he's played well there and there's really nothing left for him to prove there. So I think for us to give him a little bit of runway to see what we have in him, give him an opportunity to play here for us against right-handed pitching and just kind of see where it goes.”

— Dave Roberts, Manager, Los Angeles Dodgers

What’s next

The Dodgers will monitor Hyeseong Kim's development in Triple-A and expect him to contribute at the MLB level at some point this season.

The takeaway

The Dodgers' decision to keep Alex Freeland over Hyeseong Kim on the Opening Day roster shows the team prioritizing playing time and development over immediate MLB production as they look to fill a key role at second base until Tommy Edman returns from injury.