Dodgers Make Controversial Roster Decision as Lineup Reshuffles

The Los Angeles Dodgers and their fans don’t have much to complain about at the moment, as they are currently 16 games over .500 and in the driver’s seat to win their 13th National League West division title in 14 seasons.

But following injuries in back-to-back games to Teoscar Hernández and Kiké Hernández, which will keep the two key players out for at least a month, the team decided to shuffle its roster going into a weekend series against the surging Philadelphia Phillies.

Ryan Ward was called up from the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets to help out with the lack of consistency in left field, but that isn’t the move that is turning some Dodgers fans against their own ownership.

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Journeyman utility player Santiago Espinal was effectively cut from the team with the return of Hernández to the roster, but due to clearing waivers, he is now back with the team less than a week after he was released.

To bring Espinal back into the fold, the team made the decision to option South Korean infielder Kim Hye-seong to the Comets, prompting anger from some fans on social media.

A few weeks ago, manager Dave Roberts backed Kim as the team’s starting second baseman until Tommy Edman returns to the team in late June from a rehab assignment in the minor leagues. But following a stretch of extensive strikeouts and a lack of production, Kim will be back in Oklahoma City, where he will have time to rediscover the hitting mechanics that made him stand out at the beginning of the campaign.

It’s a big opportunity for 24-year-old Freeland, who Roberts mentioned struggled at the start of the season due to pressure to perform. Roberts said he wants Freeland to play with “less pressure” and will give him time in the lineup to find himself.

Freeland is in the lineup for the Dodgers on Friday night against the Phillies in the opener at home at Dodger Stadium, with Zack Wheeler going for Philadelphia and Justin Wrobleski pitching for Los Angeles.

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This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 5:12 PM.