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Dodgers' Kim Hye-seong notches 2 hits, defensive gem in first start of season

Published: 07 Apr. 2026, 15:09

Los Angeles Dodgers' Kim Hye-seong, left, forces out Toronto Blue Jays' Daulton Varsho to end the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto on April 6. [AP/YONHAP]

Kim Hye-seong of the Los Angeles Dodgers made the most of his first start of the 2026 season.

The Korean shortstop batted 2-for-4 with a walk and a run scored, as the Dodgers hammered the Toronto Blue Jays 14-2 at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Monday in a rematch of the 2025 World Series.

Kim also made a defensive gem at shortstop.

Kim started his second season in a row in the minors and was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday. Just hours later, Kim made his season debut as a defensive replacement during a road game against the Washington Nationals. The Dodgers placed veteran shortstop Mookie Betts on the injured list earlier Sunday with an oblique injury, and they now plan to use Kim and Miguel Rojas in a platoon at shortstop — with Kim, who bats left-handed, likely getting the bulk of opportunities against right-handed pitchers.

With the righty Max Scherzer starting for the Blue Jays, Kim got the start at shortstop and batted ninth.

He flied out in his first plate appearance in the second inning. But with lefty reliever Josh Fleming on the mound, Kim stayed in the game and drew a walk in the fourth inning.

After flying out in the fifth, Kim got an infield hit off right-hander Tommy Nance in the seventh. He later came around to score on a Freddie Freeman double.

Kim then singled off righty Spencer Miles in the eighth for a multihit game.

In the bottom of the seventh, Kim made a basket catch on a pop fly off the bat of Andres Gimenez, running into shallow left-center field to rob the Blue Jays hitter of a base hit.

The Dodgers pounded out 17 hits, including five home runs. They will stay in Toronto for two more games.

Yonhap