Atlanta Braves infielder Kim Ha-seong faces an unavoidable absence in the early part of the 2026 season due to a finger injury.
Kim Ha-seong slipped on an icy road, rupturing the tendon in his right middle finger, and underwent surgery. The Atlanta club said on the 19th (Korean time), "Kim Ha-seong was staying in Korea during the offseason when he suffered an injury that ruptured the tendon of the middle finger on his right hand."
Kim Ha-seong moved to the team's home city of Atlanta to have surgery. He has been diagnosed with a recovery period of four to five months. Considering time to regain game readiness, a return after June seems possible. He could potentially miss the first half of the season.
Ken Rosenthal, a major league columnist for The Athletic, said, "The Atlanta club expects Kim Ha-seong to be out at least until mid-May. It could be longer."
Atlanta can use another infielder, Mauricio Dubón. Dubón was acquired by the Atlanta club during the offseason as a utility player before Kim Ha-seong was signed. Rosenthal said, "It's not a terrible situation, but it won't be ideal."
He added, "If Kim Ha-seong returns, Atlanta would be a scary team." But for Kim Ha-seong, it is a "terrible situation."
After last season ended, Kim Ha-seong became a free agent. But he decided to play one more year in Atlanta and seek a proper free agent evaluation the next offseason. So Kim Ha-seong signed a one-year, $20 million contract with Atlanta (about 2.94 billion won). He is aiming for a big free agent payday in a year.
But an injury variable has emerged. After the 2024 season ended, Kim Ha-seong did not have his value properly assessed because of the aftereffects of shoulder surgery. So he chose a short-term contract with Atlanta and opted for a "free agent do-over."
Atlanta also has Dubón, and a day after Kim Ha-seong's injury announcement they signed Jorge Mateo to a one-year contract. Mateo, who played last season with Baltimore, can play all outfield positions and has experience at second base. Primarily used as a shortstop, he and Dubón can fill Kim Ha-seong's void.
MLB.com noted, "While Kim Ha-seong is out, Dubón is expected to take over as Atlanta's starting shortstop and Mateo will serve as a backup."
The club has alternatives. But it is an unlucky situation for Kim Ha-seong, who planned to return to the free agent market next offseason.<
[OSEN]