Alex

Freeland

Freeland makes just his second start of the season with Miguel Rojas getting the night off. The 24-year-old infielder is serving as Los Angeles’ de-facto utility specialist while Tommy Edman (ankle) continues recovering from offseason surgery.

Muncy will sit again with southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez getting the nod for the D-backs Saturday evening. Santiago Espinal will draw the start at the hot corner and hit seventh. Alex Freeland is also out of the lineup, with Miguel Rojas hitting ninth and lined up at the keystone.

Freeland figures to start against most righties, but Rojas got the Opening Day assignment versus Zac Gallen to start off what’s slated to be his final season in the majors. Both Freeland and Rojas are expected to bat ninth when they’re in the lineup, and that is the case for Freeland tonight.

Kim entered the spring as the favorite to start at second base while Tommy Edman was sidelined, so this one comes as a major surprise, especially after he hit .407 (11-for-27) with a homer, six RBI and five stolen bases during Cactus League play. Santiago Espinal and Alex Freeland are expected to function in a platoon at the position now that Kim has been demoted.

The final spot on the Dodgers looks like it’s coming down to Freeland and Hyeseong Kim, who had an RBI single in four at-bats today. Kim has been quite a bit more productive this spring (.967 OPS to .519), but if the Dodgers were sold on him, this wouldn’t even be a contest. The winner figures to share time at second base with Miguel Rojas and Santiago Espinal until Tommy Edman returns.

Freeland had a nice opportunity this spring with Tommy Edman out and Hyeseong Kim away. but after reaching on five-of-six plate appearances in his first two games, he’s gone 3-for-35 in his last 14 games. It seems like a given he’ll be opening up in Triple-A.

The Dodgers will probably go with Hyeseong Kim and Miguel Rojas at second initially, but Freeland could sneak into the mix by outplaying Kim this spring. He’s reached in five of his six plate appearances, having walked four times in two games. Obviously, some of that is facing minor league pitchers, but the walk is a big part of his game; he drew 83 in 508 plate appearances in Triple-A last year and 91 in 615 plate appearances at three levels in 2024.

The Dodgers added Ben Rortvedt to their bench on Thursday to provide depth behind the plate with Will Smith nursing a hand injury, which unfortunately cost Freeland his spot on the roster. The 24-year-old infielder has hit .190/.292/.310 with two homers and six RBI in 97 plate appearances with the Dodgers this season.

Kim, who appeared off the bench Tuesday and Wednesday, is starting over Alex Freeland at second base tonight. One of those two is likely facing a demotion to Triple-A once Max Muncy and Tommy Edman are activated (Justin Dean will likely be the first player cut to open up a spot).

Freeland was called upon to bat for Alex Call in the eighth inning and launched a 3-2 fastball from Jeremiah Estrada for a 388-foot (97.6 mph EV) solo shot that finally got the Dodgers on the scoreboard. That would be the extent of their offense. The 23-year-old rookie infielder has now homered in two consecutive games and is hitting .241/.362/.414 with two homers, six RBI and one stolen base in his first 70 plate appearances with the Dodgers.