Dodgers option $12.5M signing Kim to Triple-A; Gonsolin will start on IL

Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Hyeseong Kim, who joined the team this offseason after having starred in his native South Korea, will begin his season in Triple-A, the team announced.

The decision means that Kim will not travel with the Dodgers to Tokyo for their season-opening games against the Chicago Cubs next week.

The Dodgers signed Kim to a three-year, $12.5-million contract in January, which included two club option years. He moved to the majors after an eight-year run with the KBO's Kiwoom Heroes in which he hit .304/.364/.403 and won four Gold Gloves.

Kim was considered a prime candidate to start at second for the Dodgers and was also set to see time at both shortstop and center field. However, his struggles at the plate may have become too pronounced for the team's liking. The 26-year-old's hit just .207/.303/.310 with one homer, three RBIs, and 11 strikeouts over 33 plate appearances thus far in Cactus League play.

With Kim headed to Oklahoma City and utility player Tommy Edman expected to man center, the Dodgers now need to look for an alternative at second base. One possibility would be to shift Mookie Betts, who spent the winter learning shortstop, back to his natural infield position and start Miguel Rojas at shortstop. Chris Taylor and Enrique Hernández also have experience at the keystone position.

Manager Dave Roberts also revealed Tuesday that right-hander Tony Gonsolin, who missed all of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, will open the season on the injured list with a back injury. Gonsolin hurt his back while lifting weights, Roberts said, according to David Vassegh of AM 570 Los Angeles. The exact nature of his injury isn't clear, and it's unknown how long Gonsolin will be sidelined.

With Gonsolin out, Dustin May - who also didn't pitch in 2024 - made the team as L.A.'s fifth starter, Roberts said. May won't join the team in Japan and will instead stay in Arizona to prepare for his first regular-season start.

The Dodgers will open the 2025 campaign with two contests against the Chicago Cubs on March 18 and 19 at the Tokyo Dome. Japanese superstar Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start the season opener in Tokyo for L.A., while Dodgers rookie sensation Roki Sasaki will make his MLB debut in his homeland by starting Game 2 of the series.