ATLANTA (AP) – Atlanta Braves shortstop Ha Seong Kim is expected to be out four to five months after surgery Sunday to repair a torn tendon in his right middle finger.
The Braves said Kim was injured in his native South Korea. The team’s Sunday announcement came about a month after Kim agreed to a one-year, $20 million contract with Atlanta.
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The signing was expected to fill a major offseason need, and the loss of Kim for at least part of the season once again forces the team to rethink its plan for a starting shortstop. A convalescence period of up to five months could keep Kim away until the end of June.
The Braves said Sunday’s surgery was performed in Atlanta by Dr. Gary Lourie.
As Kim faces a lengthy rehabilitation, the Braves may have to rely on Mauricio Dubonacquired from the Houston Astros for Nick Allen in an infielder trade on November 19, at shortstop. With a healthy Kim, Dubón could have played a good role.
Kim, 30, hit .234 with five homers and 17 RBIs last season for Tampa Bay and Atlanta. The Braves claimed him on waivers on September 1. Kim didn’t make her season debut until July 4th because of right shoulder operation end of 2024.
