The Braves’ hopes for a stable infield in 2026 just took a heavy hit.
Ha-seong Kim, Atlanta’s presumed everyday shortstop and a key piece of their defensive backbone, will miss four to five months after undergoing surgery on a torn tendon in his right middle finger. The injury, sustained in a fall on the ice while in Korea, adds yet another chapter to Kim’s increasingly frustrating injury history and leaves a sudden vacancy at one of the most critical positions on the diamond.
A Brief Stint That Showed Promise
It’s a bitter blow for a player whose talent has rarely been in question. Kim, 30, had finally seemed poised for a fresh start after a stop-and-start 2025 season. That year began with shoulder surgery, included only 24 games with Tampa Bay, and ended with a brief but promising stint in Atlanta following a September waiver claim. In just under a month, Kim slashed .253/.316/.368 and showed flashes of the speed, defensive range, and versatility that once made him a coveted international signing and a breakout star in San Diego.
But what looked like a reset has now been upended again, this time before the first pitch of 2026.
Kim had opted out of the second year of a two-year, $29 million deal after last season, only to re-sign with the Braves on a one-year, $20 million pact. The move suggested mutual confidence: Kim wanted a full-time role on a contending team, and the Braves believed in what they saw in those final weeks of 2025. President of Baseball Operations Alex Anthopoulos praised Kim’s quick fit in the clubhouse and seemed eager to see what a healthy season could bring.
Dubón Steps In As Braves Emergency Starter
Now, that reunion will have to wait, possibly until midseason.
The Braves will likely turn to Mauricio Dubón to fill the gap. A Gold Glove-caliber defender in his own right, Dubón was acquired this offseason with the expectation of a utility role but now finds himself at the heart of the Braves’ infield picture. His experience, particularly under pressure, will be critical as Atlanta looks to keep pace in the early months of the season.
Flashes of Brilliance, But a Trail of Setbacks
For Kim, it’s another setback in a career marked by flashes of excellence and long stretches of recovery. His 2023 campaign in San Diego, .260/.351/.398 with 17 home runs and 38 stolen bases, still stands as the blueprint of what he can be when fully healthy.
The Braves are betting they’ll still see that version of him in 2026. But for now, that vision is once again on hold.
