Padres supervisor Mike Shildt informed reporters that shortstop Ha-Seong Kim’s season is over, by way of AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. Kim later informed reporters that he’s present process season-ending shoulder surgical procedure.
“I actually tried every little thing to come back again and assist the group,” he mentioned, by way of Cassavell. “However my physique simply would not take heed to my thoughts. So I believe as of now, my season is over, and it is actually irritating and disappointing.”
The shortstop has been on the IL for greater than a month because of irritation in his shoulder, and Shildt revealed Friday that Kim would possibly in the end must go below the knife to restore the labrum in his shoulder.
It’s an enormous blow for a Padres membership that has leaned closely on the 28-year-old since he loved a breakout season again in 2022. That yr, Kim stepped in to exchange troubled star Fernando Tatis Jr. at shortstop amid a misplaced season brought on by off-the-field accidents and a PED suspension. He excelled within the position, hitting an above-average .251/.325/.383 (105 wRC+) in 150 video games whereas taking part in sturdy protection at shortstop. Kim was pushed again to second base by the addition of Xander Bogaerts final yr however took one more step ahead with the bat whereas taking part in slick protection throughout not solely the keystone but additionally shortstop and third base as wanted.
Final yr, Kim slashed .260/.351/.398 with a wRC+ of 110 whereas swiping 38 baggage in 47 makes an attempt. That general package deal was sufficient to earn Kim his first profession Gold Glove Award and even some down-ballot MVP votes. Coming off that sturdy season and a lackluster season defensively from Bogaerts, the Padres elected to change the 2 coming into this yr to return Kim to shortstop. That seemingly set him up for what may very well be his third straight profession yr, however issues didn’t play out fairly that manner because the infielder took a slight step again on the plate. In 121 video games for the Padres this yr, Kim posted a wRC+ of 101 whereas stealing 22 bases in 27 makes an attempt. That down season has been additional exacerbated by his shoulder woes, which have stored him from taking part within the stretch run and now will take away him from San Diego’s postseason plans fully.
Wanting forward for the Padres, it appears possible that the membership will now persist with Bogaerts at shortstop headed into the postseason, as they’ve completed since transferring him again to the place earlier this month in response to Kim’s harm. It’s been a down season for Bogaerts general as he’s been restricted to only 110 video games thus far by accidents whereas posting a 94 wRC+ that’s his worst since 2014, however he’s managed to show issues round since coming back from the injured listing again in July with a strong .295/.336/.430 slash line throughout 259 plate appearances that’s good for a 116 wRC+. That’s opened second base up for normal begins from Jake Cronenworth, leaving first base accessible for a timeshare between Donovan Solano and Luis Arraez, the latter of whom additionally components into the membership’s DH combine alongside David Peralta on days he isn’t taking part in first base.
As for Kim himself, the shortstop will now head into free company dealing with a brand new layer of uncertainty. Whereas he’s nonetheless all however sure to say no his $8M participant choice for subsequent season in favor of a $2M buyout, it’s potential that groups may very well be extra hesitant to supply the versatile infielder a large multiyear deal this winter because of issues about how his shoulder points might have an effect on him on either side of the ball going ahead. Kim appeared prone to be a consensus high infield choice in free company this winter behind Alex Bregman and Willy Adames, making it simple to think about him touchdown a major contract. Between his down 2024 season on the plate and now his impending surgical procedure, nevertheless, Kim’s future appears a bit murkier than it did even just a few days in the past.
