The Los Angeles Dodgers have officially optioned infielder Hyeseong Kim and right-handed pitcher Bobby Miller among a massive roster move involving seven players.
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In addition to optioning those two players, the Dodgers reassigned right-handed pitcher Giovanny Gallegos, catcher Dalton Rushing, infielders David Bote and Michael Chavis, and outfielder Eddie Rosario to minor league camp.
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Perhaps the most notable move on this list is the Korean Baseball Organization standout. Kim was told earlier Tuesday that he will not be traveling with the team to Japan as he will start his season in Triple-A.
With four Gold Glove awards in Korea, defense was not the main issue with Kim — it was his bat. Manager Dave Roberts noted the difference in velocity in MLB pitching that many expected Kim to struggle with to start his North American baseball career.
At just 26 years old, Kim will further develop his game and make his Dodgers debut at a later date.
Miller, on the other hand, was in the running for the elusive fifth starting spot for the Dodgers’ rotation entering camp.
After an 11-4 record and 3.76 ERA in 2023, the young pitcher found himself working to lower his ERA for all of this past season. His 8.52 ERA at the close of the regular season left a lot of room for improvement and kept Miller off the postseason roster.
This spring didn’t make the 25-year-old right-hander any more comfortable as he was walloped by a 105.5 mph comebacker in L.A.’s Cactus League opener. This heavily slowed down what Miller hoped would be a season where he cracks the rotation, but that at least won’t be the case on the Opening Day roster.
Despite a promising spring training, the Dodgers top position player prospect in Rushing will also begin the season in the minors. With All-Star Will Smith and Austin Barnes still rostered, the young catcher will have to wait just a little longer until making his way up to the majors.
As for the rest of the moves, the Dodgers aren’t bringing any of their veteran non-roster invites on offense to Japan. The strongest candidate was Bote, who hit .400 this spring with an OPS of 1.171.
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Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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