Here’s a gut-wrenching update for Atlanta Braves fans: Ha-Seong Kim, the team’s prized offseason addition, is expected to miss four to five months after undergoing surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right middle finger. And this is the part most people miss—Kim’s injury occurred in South Korea after a fall on ice, as reported by MLB.com’s Mark Bowman. The procedure was performed in Atlanta, but the recovery timeline deals a significant blow to the Braves’ 2026 season plans.
Kim’s return to the Braves was one of the team’s most notable moves this winter, alongside the addition of reliever Robert Suarez. The Braves had high hopes for Kim, who was expected to address a glaring weakness in their lineup: their shortstop position ranked dead last in the majors last season with a 54 wRC+ and a meager 0.4 fWAR. But here’s where it gets controversial—while Kim’s talent is undeniable, his injury history is becoming a recurring theme. When healthy, he’s a three-to-four win player with a league-average bat and elite defense, but the phrase ‘when healthy’ is starting to feel like a caveat rather than a certainty.
Kim’s injury woes aren’t new. In August 2024, a torn labrum in his right shoulder prematurely ended his time with the Padres, sidelining him during their NLDS battle against the eventual World Champion Dodgers. The Rays took a gamble on him last winter, signing him to a two-year deal despite knowing he’d miss the start of the season. Unfortunately, that bet didn’t pay off—Kim’s recovery took longer than expected, and he spent more time on the injured list than on the field due to back and calf issues.
The Braves initially claimed Kim off waivers from the Rays in September, hoping to retain him for 2026. After a strong 24-game stint with Atlanta, Kim opted out of his $16MM player option, a decision that proved shrewd when the Braves re-signed him to a one-year, $20MM deal in December. While the extra $4MM was a risk, it seemed justified given Kim’s potential and the team’s desperate need for a shortstop upgrade over Nick Allen, who was traded to Houston earlier this winter.
But here’s the question that’s sure to spark debate: Is Kim’s injury-prone history a red flag the Braves should have heeded more seriously, or is this just an unfortunate setback for a player with undeniable talent? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. One thing’s for sure—Kim’s absence leaves a massive hole in Atlanta’s lineup, and the team’s 2026 prospects just got a lot more uncertain. More updates to come.
