After rehabbing from a shoulder injury a month ago, Kim Ha-seong (29, San Diego Padres) is in danger of missing the regular season due to a slow recovery.
On Aug. 21, MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball, reported that “Kim’s return to the field is not going as smoothly as the San Diego Padres had hoped.”
San Diego placed Kim on the 10-day disabled list on Aug. 21 to treat inflammation in his right shoulder. The placement was retroactive to Aug. 20, when utility infielder Matthew Batten was recalled from Triple-A El Paso to replace Kim.
Kim went 1-for-1 at shortstop in the No. 8 spot in the lineup against the Colorado Rockies on Aug. 19 at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado, before injuring his shoulder while running the bases.
Kim led off the top of the third inning with a single to left field, tied at 0-0. He was facing a 1B-2S unfavorable count against Colorado starter Bradley Blaylock, but fouled off a fourth-pitch walk, a fifth-pitch wild pitch and then a sixth-pitch 94.9 mph fastball to give him a hit in his last three games.
But Joy was briefly injured at first base.
After Kyle Higashioka grounded out to short, Luis Araez popped up to Blaylock at first base and Kim made a head-first sliding throw home, taking an impact on his right shoulder. Kim, an “iron man” who usually plays through most injuries, complained of pain for a while before signaling to the bench for a change and was replaced by pinch-hitter Tyler Wade.
The right-handed hitter complained of excruciating pain in his throwing right shoulder. He left the field holding his shoulder and reacted by flinging his helmet down the dugout steps. 메이저사이트 He was very upset about the injury.
Kim headed to the hospital the next day for further evaluation, including an MRI. San Diego manager Michael Schildt said, “The first tests look positive, but we’re still gathering information and it could be worse than we think. We’re considering whether or not to place him on the disabled list,” said San Diego manager Michael Schilt, who will make his major league debut on the 21-day disabled list.
It’s been a month since he was placed on the disabled list, but there’s still no timetable for his return.
“He’s hitting at full strength, but his shoulder is bothering him and he’s not throwing hard enough,” MLB.com reported. Kim has reportedly been taking batting and fielding practice and playing light catch recently.
The Padres, who are in second place in the National League West, have eight games remaining in the regular season. The season ends with a home series against the Chicago White Sox on April 22 and 23, followed by a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 25-27 and a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 28-30.
“It’s unclear at this point if Kim will be able to return before the end of the regular season,” MLB.com wrote in a gloomy prognosis.
Kim has been San Diego’s starting shortstop this season, batting .233 with 11 home runs, 47 RBI, 60 runs scored, 22 stolen bases, and a .700 OPS in 121 games. His stock was rising as a prospective free agent, but a freak injury threatened to end his season.
The only way for him to raise his price tag again is to regain his Gold Glove class in the postseason. Luckily, San Diego is currently in first place for the National League wild card.
