The Los Angeles Dodgers’ injury list has been a season-long headache, but this week might finally bring a wave of positive developments — and plenty of live batting practice.
Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic dubbed it “BP-palooza,” with three key names making notable strides in their recoveries: rookie infielder Hyeseong Kim, veteran relievers Kirby Yates, and Michael Kopech.
Kim Nearing a Dodgers Return After Shoulder Setback
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Kim, sidelined since July 29 with left shoulder bursitis, has quietly been ramping up baseball activities. According to DodgerBlue, he’s been doing defensive work and hitting in the cage for over a week.
“Hyeseong is doing well. He took some swings in the cage. I think on Friday we’ll get him in a hitting group,” manager Dave Roberts said. “So he’s coming along. I think he says he’s almost pain-free, so hopefully we’ll get him back here soon.”
Kim struggled at the plate before hitting the injured list, going just 3-for-24 in his final nine games while visibly bothered by the shoulder. On Monday, he resumed swinging a bat, taking grounders, and running. Roberts expects him to face live pitching next weekend and possibly start a minor league rehab assignment during the week of August 19. Whether that rehab stint happens will depend on how he responds to live BP.
Yates Could Be First Bullpen Arm Back To Dodgers
Kirby Yates, out since August 1 with lower back pain, is the closest of the bullpen trio to returning. The 38-year-old threw his second bullpen in three days on Sunday and will face hitters Wednesday in Anaheim before likely heading out on a rehab assignment.
Yates’ official injury designation doesn’t fully explain the setback, with Roberts noting lingering hip issues that may be tied to a previous hamstring strain. Still, the veteran has shown encouraging signs. “Back was ruled out, but it’s still something that we all don’t really know,” Roberts said. “But he feels pretty good.”
Kopech Targeting Late August Activation For Dodgers
Michael Kopech’s comeback is just behind Yates’ pace. Recovering from surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee, the right-hander will face hitters before Monday’s game in Anaheim and throw a simulated game later in the week.
Because Kopech is on the 60-day injured list, the earliest he can return is August 27 — a date he’s had circled. “I think August 27 is the earliest I can be back so I have that circled. If that’s realistic, I’ll be back then,” Kopech said last month.
Bigger Picture for the Dodgers
The Dodgers’ bullpen has been stretched thin in recent weeks, a key factor in the team’s 10-17 skid since July 4. With Yates, Kopech, and left-hander Tanner Scott all tracking toward returns before September, the relief corps could finally resemble the one envisioned last offseason.
In the meantime, Kim’s potential mid-August comeback would add needed infield depth with Kiké Hernández and Tommy Edman still sidelined. Hernández, dealing with left elbow inflammation, is now a September target, while Edman’s ankle issue is being treated cautiously to avoid postseason setbacks.
As Roberts put it, the Dodgers’ pitching depth “is coming along,” and if BP-palooza goes as planned, the club’s September roster could look a lot more like the group they expected when the season began.