Every night, Hyeseong Kim proves he belongs. The South Korean rookie keeps answering the call when the Los Angeles Dodgers need someone to fill holes in their injury-riddled lineup. Now he’s manning second base while All-Star Max Muncy recovers from a bone bruise in his left knee, and manager Dave Roberts can’t stop talking about what the kid brings to the table.
While position players have shuffled in and out of the injured list all season, the Dodgers have faced their biggest challenges with pitching depth. That $107 million investment in three veteran relievers during the offseason hasn’t paid off as expected, and four key starters remain sidelined, having appeared in just one or two games this season.
How Is Hyeseong Kim Filling the Void Left by Max Muncy?
Following the Dodgers’ 2-0 loss to Milwaukee in Friday night’s series opener at Dodger Stadium, Roberts had nothing but praise for Kim’s contributions in his postgame interview. The rookie has stepped up on both sides of the ball while the team deals with constant roster shuffling.
Kim’s defensive versatility stands out most. While he’s logged the majority of his appearances at second base, his ability to play the outfield gives Roberts valuable flexibility when managing his lineup. That kind of utility becomes crucial when injuries force constant adjustments.
At the plate, Kim has exceeded expectations with a .342 batting average through 49 games this campaign. His two home runs and 13 RBIs tell only part of the story, as his .845 OPS shows he’s getting on base and driving runs when opportunities arise. In 114 at-bats, Kim has collected 39 hits, including six doubles and one triple.
Roberts reflected on Kim’s work ethic and production: “It’s been great. It’s been great. He’s with Max [Muncy] being down. He’s getting some runway to play. You know, call it five days a week, and he’s making the most of it.”
Dave Roberts discussed Hyeseong Kim doing what he can to “warrant staying in the lineup.” pic.twitter.com/SAImWS3XUG
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) July 19, 2025
The manager continued: “And so I just thought tonight caning is a really death on lefties and trying to continue to put him in good spots to have success Offensively, but he’s doing everything he can to warrant staying in the lineup.”
When Will Max Muncy Return to Strengthen the Dodgers?
The initial prognosis suggested Muncy would need at least six weeks to recover, which would have kept him out until late August or early September. However, the two-time World Series champion has shown encouraging progress during his rehabilitation process.
If Muncy continues advancing at his current pace, he could return by the first or second week of August. That timeline would provide a significant boost for the defending champions, especially considering they’ve already welcomed back ace pitcher Tyler Glasnow before the All-Star break.
Tyler Glasnow strikes out six over six pretty dominant innings, allowing just a (questionable) run. Too bad about his team. pic.twitter.com/hCtDadvZLT
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) July 19, 2025
Despite Glasnow’s strong performance on Friday night, striking out six batters over six innings while allowing just one questionable run, the Dodgers couldn’t generate enough offense against Milwaukee. The 2-0 defeat dropped Los Angeles to 58-40 for the season, though they maintain their lead atop the NL West division.
The reigning champions will look to bounce back in the final two games of this weekend series, which concludes Sunday. With Kim continuing to prove his worth and key players like Glasnow returning to form, the Dodgers remain well-positioned despite their injury challenges.
