The Los Angeles Dodgers have officially placed outfielder Teoscar Hernandez on the 10-day injured list following a left hamstring strain he suffered two days earlier, the team announced Friday. Additionally, Hyeseong Kim, who stepped in to replace Hernandez in left field, has been sent down to the minor leagues.
Kim found himself in unfamiliar territory Wednesday when Hernandez sustained his injury while running to first base on a ground ball during the second inning of their matchup with the Colorado Rockies. It marked Kim’s first-ever appearance in left field at the professional level.
After completing Wednesday’s contest and sitting out Thursday’s off day, Kim received his assignment to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, just before Los Angeles began a three-game homestand against the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Dodgers addressed their roster needs by bringing up infielder/outfielder Ryan Ward from Triple-A Oklahoma City and bringing back infielder/outfielder Santiago Espinal through a new signing.
The 33-year-old Hernandez has compiled a .276 batting average this season, along with seven home runs and 31 RBIs across 51 games. His injury came during an impressive stretch where he posted a .375 average with three homers and 14 RBIs over his most recent 14 contests.
Throughout his career, the two-time All-Star has maintained a .261 batting average, .317 on-base percentage, and .482 slugging percentage, accumulating 224 home runs and 692 RBIs in 1,150 games. His major league journey has included stops with the Houston Astros (2016-17), Toronto Blue Jays (2017-22), Seattle Mariners (2023), and now the Dodgers.
Kim, age 27, has recorded a .259/.323/.328 slash line this season with one home run and 11 RBIs in 43 appearances. Following his major league debut with Los Angeles last season, he posted a .280/.314/.385 line with three homers and 17 RBIs over 71 games.
The 31-year-old Espinal had been moved to Oklahoma City on Thursday after going unclaimed on waivers. His 2024 performance with Los Angeles included a .220 batting average, one home run, and four RBIs in 26 games before being designated for assignment earlier this week.
Ward, 28, made his major league debut with the Dodgers last month, collecting two hits in six at-bats during two games while covering for Freddie Freeman during his paternity leave.
In Triple-A action this year, Ward has posted a .254 average with six home runs and 31 RBIs in 47 games, following a standout 2023 campaign for Oklahoma City where he launched 36 homers and drove in 122 runs. His minor league career spans seven seasons with 156 total home runs.
To create room on the 40-man roster for Espinal’s return, left-handed pitcher Blake Snell, who underwent left elbow surgery earlier this month, was moved to the 60-day injured list.
