NORTH PORT, Fla. – Ha-Seong Kim wasn’t willing to confirm he’s aiming to join Atlanta’s lineup during the first half of May. But the Braves shortstop arrived at Spring Training on Monday looking to further distance himself from the patch of ice that led to surgery.
“I’m just trying to stay in a positive mindset,” Kim said through an interpreter. “I also feel very sorry to the team because of what's happened and how I'm impacting the team. But I'll try my best to recover as fast as I can and help the team.”
Kim signed a one-year, $20 million contract with the Braves on Dec. 15. His bid to enjoy his first healthy season since 2023 ended one month later, when he slipped on ice while on a street in his native South Korea. He underwent surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right middle finger on Jan. 18 and he has spent the past two months rehabbing in Atlanta.
So, the Braves had reason to be encouraged on Monday, when Kim arrived in Spring Training ready to begin some baseball activities. He’s not swinging a bat yet, but he can do some fielding drills.
“These guys have got to clear all these hurdles before we give him the next one,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said. “I mean, it's his hand. I think it'll happen quickly once he starts being able to swing the bat and throw. Then, it's just about getting in the baseball shape.”
When Spring Training began, Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said there was hope Kim would be ready during the first half of May. But, Weiss and his shortstop were both unwilling to confirm this remains the target.
“I’m told that with rehab, you can fully recover from this,” Kim said. “So I'm trying to stay in a positive mindset every day and do my part to get back on the field as soon as possible.”
Mauricio Dubón will serve as the Braves’ everyday shortstop while Kim completes his recovery.
This has been a rough stretch for Kim, who missed the first three months of the 2025 season while recovering from offseason right shoulder (labrum) surgery. The 30-year-old veteran also missed time with a back ailment last year.
The Braves claimed Kim off waivers from the Rays in September knowing they would likely pursue him as a free agent this past winter. The shortstop remained a top target after producing a .684 OPS over 24 games for the Braves. His best season came with the Padres in 2023, when he hit 17 homers, collected 38 stolen bases and constructed a .749 OPS.
“He does everything well,” Weiss said. “He’s a good baserunner. He can steal bases. He's a tough out. There's some power there. He defends. So, he's just a really well-rounded player.”