Lefties Hyeseong Kim and Dalton Rushing have created a new sense of urgency in Los Angeles for the Dodgers to add a veteran left-handed hitter. Seeing as the team is 38-25, there’s no need to panic for Dodgers fans, but there’s always room for improvement. They have just a three-game lead on the third-place San Francisco Giants, with the San Diego Padres trailing by only two games in second place.
Dodgers On the Hunt for a Veteran Left-Handed Hitter
As both Kim and Rushing are rookies, it would make sense for the team to find a veteran presence to guide them through the rest of the 2025 season. Both players have made it clear that they are fine by themselves, but if the Dodgers love one thing, it’s their depth. That’s been proven repeatedly this season as players are constantly on the IL, but this team continues to find a way to win.
The Dodgers are “scouring the market” for a left-handed hitting upgrade👀🚨
Who would you want to see LA trade for that fits this description?⬇️⬇️https://t.co/UH3Lzi6vPn
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) June 4, 2025
Bob Nightengale mentioned, “The Dodgers are scouring the market these days for a left-handed hitting bat off the bench.” The team knows its lineup is pretty much set, but it’s about pitching matchups and preparing for a new starter every day. With more lefties in their lineup, the Dodgers are able to play around with things a bit more and hopefully give themselves an advantage depending on what pitcher is thrown their way.
With Austin Barnes and Chris Taylor DFA’d earlier in the season, the team has proven that it will do whatever it takes to win. No matter how long someone has been on the team, they are expendable if they are no longer putting up the numbers needed to win games. Adding a new left-handed hitter would force someone else to lose their spot, with it being unlikely that either Kim or Rushing gets sent back down.
Kim has been the unsung hero of the Dodgers’ 2025 season. The 26-year-old signed a very cheap three-year deal to play for the Dodgers, a team he’s now hitting .404 for. His 52 at-bats don’t compare to the likes of Shohei Ohtani (244) or Andy Pages (225), but he’s been one of the most consistent players on the team since his arrival. His .994 OPS is off the charts, putting him in the elite category with Ohtani and Freddie Freeman.
As for Rushing, the 24-year-old catcher has been a fine complement to Will Smith. It’s hard to replicate Smith’s .327 batting average and .928 OPS, but Rushing is doing his best as he already has seven RBIs in just 30 at-bats. It’s unlikely that he’ll see any additional playing time unless Smith goes down with an injury, but the Dodgers have loved the addition of a lefty catcher to their big league roster.