The Los Angeles Dodgers promoted Alex Freeland on July 29 to fill the gap left by Hyeseong Kim, who was placed on the 10-day injured list due to left shoulder bursitis. Freeland has quickly found himself as a valuable asset in the roster, starting in six of the Dodgers’ eight games since his promotion. Initially, he played at third base while Max Muncy was sidelined with a bone bruise in his knee. However, with Muncy’s return, Freeland is now transitioning to the middle infield, primarily at second base, following Tommy Edman’s placement on the IL due to a sprained right ankle.
Freeland has made a robust start to his Major League career, successfully reaching base seven times over 23 plate appearances. However, his tenure in the majors may be brief, as Kim is making progress in his recovery. Reports indicate that Kim’s stint on the IL might not last long, with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noting that Kim is about 90% recovered, though realistic expectations suggest he may be closer to 80-85%. Kim has been active with field work, including running and taking grounders, which bodes well for his return.
As Freeland continues to gain experience, he faced challenges in his latest game against the St. Louis Cardinals, where he committed a throwing error that contributed to the team’s 5-3 loss. Despite this setback, Freeland remains focused on learning and improving, stating, “Every day is a learning curve, whether we play good or we play bad, there’s something to learn from it every single day.”
Once Kim is ready to return, Freeland, the Dodgers’ No. 3 overall prospect, is expected to be reassigned to Triple-A Oklahoma City. This situation highlights the Dodgers’ depth in talent and the potential for younger players to step up in critical moments while navigating injuries within the team. With Freeland’s recent performances and ongoing development, there is optimism for his future contributions to the team as he continues to hone his skills at the Major League level.