Dodgers News: Hyeseong Kim & Michael Kopech Activated Off IL, Added to Expanded Roster

LOS ANGELES, CA—The 2025 Major League Baseball season has finally turned the page to its final month, which also brings September roster expansion, allowing all teams to add up to two additional roster spots (one pitcher, one position player).

While many teams will incorporate their minor league depth to help for the stretch run, the Los Angeles Dodgers are taking a different approach as they’ve officially activated two key players off the injured list, and both will rejoin the team tomorrow as they kick off a six-game East Coast road trip.

As was hinted at throughout the weekend by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, the team has finally activated right-handed relief pitcher Michael Kopech and utilityman Hyeseong Kim.

Kim, 26, was a star rookie who broke out with the Dodgers after his promotion to the big league club in May, but after a shoulder injury impacted his swing, causing his strikeout rate to reach forty percent, the Dodgers placed him on the 10-day IL with left shoulder bursitis.

The former KBO star kicked off his minor league rehab assignment during the same week as fellow utilityman Kiké Hernández on August 21st, but the team opted to have Kim spend more time in Triple-A rather than rush a callup.

Kim went 11-for-34 with one double, one triple, and three RBI during a nine-game stint with the Comets.

Now Kim will rejoin the Dodgers, where he’s likely to play all over the field, with Roberts even stating that he could see some time in left field as a way for the team to get production out of the position.

Even with Kim’s July struggles, he’s had an impressive start to his career thus far, slashing .304/.338/.406 with six doubles, one triple, two home runs, and fifteen RBI, along with going 12-for-12 in stolen base attempts.

Kopec, 29, has largely been absent from the Dodgers’ bullpen this season after starting the season on the injured list due to a right shoulder injury, appearing in just eight games before going back on the IL due to knee surgery.

After the surgery, Kopech was transferred to the 60-day IL, making his earliest activation date August 27th, but due to some command struggles, the Dodgers opted not to rush his comeback and rather take advantage of the roster expansion this month.

Kopech began a rehab stint with Triple-A Oklahoma City on August 14th, pitching in seven games for the Dodgers’ affiliate. However, his performance was disappointing, as he allowed seven runs on six hits, issued nine walks, and recorded five strikeouts over 5.1 innings.

Although Kopech and Roberts attributed his struggles to the different environment and competition level of the minor leagues compared to the big league club, what’s important is that he flashed his signature velocity and came out of the appearances healthy.

Although his 2025 season hasn’t unfolded as planned, Kopech is eager to rejoin the Dodgers and make a difference.

“It feels like it’s been a long season. I’ve had two stints on the 60-day, which you never want to go in on the IL in general, but definitely don’t want to miss this many games,” he said. “I’ve pitched like eight innings this year for a team that I really like being a part of.

“I know we all have the same objective in mind, is to go win another championship, and to not get to be a part of what it’s looked like so far, at least not very much, is disappointing. So I’m definitely eager to get back. It has been a long road, but the end of the story isn’t written yet, so could be very rewarding.”

Kopech will rejoin a Dodgers bullpen that has been desperate for some solid performance for the backend of games, especially after the debut seasons of veteran righty Kirby Yates and lefty Tanner Scott have not gone to plan.

When healthy, Kopech was nearly unhittable, allowing zero earned runs in eight appearances for Los Angeles, including eight punchouts.

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