The Dodgers started in center field tonight against San Diego right-hander . Kim was flanked in the corners by and , leaving out of the lineup. Manager Dave Roberts said pregame that hes unsure whether the lefty-hitting Conforto will get a start against rookie righty in tomorrows series finale (relayed by of MLB.com). Roberts didnt frame it as a benching, saying he envisions Conforto playing a lot still. At the same time, the veteran skipper acknowledged that Kim has earned the opportunity for regular playing time. Kim is a natural middle infielder, but the Dodgers have and playing at those spots. That leaves center field as the clearest position for Kim to get consistent at-bats. Signed to a three-year offseason deal out of Korea, the 26-year-old Kim began James Harden Jersey his Dodger tenure on optional a signment. Los Angeles called him up in early May. Kim was expected to work as a multi-positional player off the bench. He has thrived in his first look at MLB pitching, running a .382/.425/.544 batting line through his first 30 big league contests. Hes obviously not going to continue hitting that well, but hes putting the ball in play at an above-average rate and has gone 6-6 on stolen base attempts. Pages is playing at an All-Star level, while Hernndez remains a middle-of-the-order bat. Getting Kim regular outfield work will come at the expense of Conforto, who is hitting .168/.305/.277 in his first season as a Dodger. He has hit below the Mendoza line in each month. Kims ability to play up the middle also allows the Dodgers to use Pages in left field. Hed otherwise need to play center when Conforto is in left. Its clearly not what the Dodgers envisioned when they signed Conforto to a surprising $17MM free agent deal. It was a fairly sizable bet on his strong finish to the 2024 campaign while with the Giants. Hed been up-and-down through the seasons first couple months before posting an OPS above .840 in both August and September. An injury to any of L.A.s outfielders or a slump from Kim could reopen everyday work for Conforto, but he may lose some playing time in the short term as they ride the hot hand. Keven Durant Jersey