The Atlanta Braves have been dealt a significant blow just weeks after securing one of the offseason's key free-agent signings. Infielder Ha-Seong Kim, who recently inked a one-year, $20 million deal to anchor the Braves' middle infield for the 2026 season, is expected to miss four to five months after undergoing surgery on his right hand.
The team formally announced the procedure on January 18, 2026, confirming that Kim suffered an injury—reported by MLB.com’s Mark Bowman to be the result of a fall on ice while in South Korea—that caused a torn tendon in his right middle finger. The surgery took place in Atlanta, marking a frustrating setback for a player whose career has recently been punctuated by physical adversity.
A Costly Setback for Atlanta's Plans
Kim’s return to Atlanta was viewed as a pivotal move this winter. After claiming him off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays in September, the Braves saw enough potential, despite his recent injury history, to lure him back with a substantial contract in December. This commitment was driven by necessity; the Braves finished the previous season with the worst wRC+ (54) in Major League Baseball at the shortstop position, a clear liability they hoped Kim would instantly rectify.
When fully healthy, Ha-Seong Kim is recognized as a reliable, multi-dimensional player capable of providing three to four wins above replacement, primarily through his elite defense paired with a league-average offensive profile. His presence was meant to stabilize a crucial defensive spot and provide a much-needed boost to a sluggish offense that saw incumbent shortstop Nick Allen traded to the Houston Astros earlier in the offseason.
The Shortstop Void Widens
This four-to-five-month timeline places Kim’s return squarely in the middle of the 2026 regular season, likely meaning he will miss the entire first half. For General Manager Alex Anthopoulos, this forces an immediate re-evaluation of the team’s defensive depth chart. The initial plan relied heavily on Kim to transform the shortstop position from a significant weakness into a strength.
The Braves will now have to scramble to find internal or external solutions to manage the position until Kim is cleared to return. The market for established, cost-effective shortstops is notoriously thin entering mid-January, and while the Braves made a splash signing Kim, they may need to pivot quickly toward finding a viable stopgap option, potentially through trade or minor league promotions.
A History of Injury Concerns
What makes this news particularly disheartening is the recurring nature of Kim's physical issues. The phrase “when healthy” has become an unfortunate qualifier in discussions surrounding the infielder’s career trajectory.
His tenure with the San Diego Padres concluded abruptly in August 2024 when he suffered a torn labrum in his right shoulder. This injury sidelined him for the final stretch and the Padres’ subsequent NLDS loss to the eventual World Champion Dodgers.
The Rays signed Kim to a two-year guarantee the following winter, fully aware he would miss the start of the season while rehabilitating the shoulder. However, that gamble did not fully pay off. Kim debuted later than anticipated, post-All-Star break, and subsequently battled multiple other ailments, including back and calf injuries, which hampered his effectiveness throughout the remainder of his time in Tampa Bay.
Navigating Free Agency Uncertainty
When Kim was initially claimed by Atlanta, it seemed highly probable he would exercise his 2026 player option. However, a strong showing across 24 games in September convinced him to test the open market. That proved to be a shrewd decision, as the Braves ultimately offered him a higher salary ($20MM vs. the $16MM option) to secure his services long-term.
While the Braves willingly paid an extra $4 million, betting on his talent to fix their shortstop woes, this latest injury casts a long shadow over that investment. Fans and analysts will closely monitor his rehabilitation progress, hoping this torn tendon proves to be the final major hurdle in an otherwise promising career.
The organization remains committed to the player’s long-term value, but the immediate outlook for the 2026 season has certainly been complicated by this unfortunate accident on the ice.
