Choi, the 2021 Branch Rickey Award winner as the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ minor league pitcher of the year, started and made his Triple-A debut on Tuesday but was tagged with a loss.

Chao Choi!

After only 2 weeks on the Drillers, Hyun-il Choi is moving up to The Oklahoma City Dodgers! pic.twitter.com/E9efYkIl0X

— Tulsa Drillers (@TulsaDrillers) April 16, 2024

The 23-year-old right-hander pitched 4 2/3 innings and allowed three runs on five hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Choi allowed a three-run home run in the first inning and then went on to hold the River Cats scoreless over the remainder of his outing, which was only his second appearance above High-A. He threw 78 pitches (49 strikes) and was charged with the loss.

Hyun-Il Choi pitched for AAA OKC!
Choi was the Dodgers 2021 MiLB Pitcher of the Year, then missed 2022 & 1/2 of 2023 to injury, so still trying to settle back in. Gave up an HR & a 3 spot in the 1st, but then was really good for the rest of his 4.2 IP. 91-92, 6 pitch mix.… pic.twitter.com/Zokqv7Rf65

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) April 17, 2024

Choi spent two weeks with the Double-A Tulsa Drillers this season, making one start, before moving up. He gave up five earned runs on seven hits including two home runs across 4 1/3 innings. He escaped the outing without a decision.

The Korean-born right-hander missed almost all of 2022 and the first six weeks of 2023 after having elbow surgery. He spent all of last season at High-A Great Lakes, posting a 3.75 ERA with 46 strikeouts and 12 walks in 60 innings.