ATLANTA -- Jim Jarvis is expected to remain Atlanta’s primary shortstop. But the Braves still chose to keep Ha-Seong Kim to serve as a backup infielder.
Kim’s Minor League rehab assignment expired with the conclusion of Triple-A Gwinnett’s doubleheader against Durham on Saturday. He went 1-for-4 in the first game and 0-for-3 in the second game. The Braves reinstated Kim on Saturday night, but have 48 hours to make the roster move.
The expectation is the Braves will choose to activate Kim, who signed a one-year, $20 million deal this offseason. The veteran infielder tore a ligament in his right middle finger when he slipped on a sheet of ice a couple weeks later. He missed the regular season’s first six weeks and then hit .068 (5-for-73) with a .239 OPS over 82 plate appearances (27 games) for Atlanta.
Kim’s struggles led the Braves to place him on the injured list with right middle finger inflammation on July 4. The South Korea native began his rehab assignment with the FCL Braves on July 13. He hit .200 (9-for-45) over the 13 games he played after his rehab was transferred to Gwinnett on July 18.
Jarvis has taken full advantage of Kim’s absence over the past few weeks. The rookie shortstop has delivered some key hits. But he has truly excelled defensively.
When asked what Kim’s role might be if the team chooses to keep him, Braves manager Walt Weiss made it clear that he has liked what he’s seen from Jarvis.
“There'll be some conversation about that,” Weiss said. “But, Jarvis has handled himself really well, particularly on the defensive side.”