Padres supervisor Mike Shildt advised reporters (together with AJ Cassavell of MLB.com) this night that shortstop Ha-Seong Kim’s season is over. Kim later advised reporters (including Cassavell) that he’s present process season-ending shoulder surgical procedure. The shortstop has been on the IL for over a month resulting from irritation in his shoulder, and Shildt revealed yesterday that Kim would possibly in the end must go below the knife to restore the labrum in his shoulder.
It’s an enormous blow for a Padres membership that has leaned closely on the 28-year-old since he loved a breakout season again in 2022. That 12 months, Kim stepped in to switch troubled star Fernando Tatis Jr. at shortstop amid a misplaced season attributable to off-the-field accidents and a PED suspension. He excelled within the position, hitting an above-average .251/.325/.383 (105 wRC+) in 150 video games whereas taking part in sturdy protection at shortstop. Kim was pushed again to second base by the addition of Xander Bogaerts final 12 months however took yet one more step ahead with the bat whereas taking part in slick protection throughout not solely the keystone but in addition shortstop and third base as wanted.
Final 12 months, Kim slashed .260/.351/.398 with a wRC+ of 110 whereas swiping 38 baggage in 47 makes an attempt. That total bundle was sufficient to earn Kim his first profession Gold Glove award and even some downballot MVP votes. Coming off that sturdy season and a lackluster season defensively from Bogaerts, the Padres elected to modify the 2 getting into this 12 months to return Kim to shortstop. That seemingly set him up for what may very well be his third straight profession 12 months, however issues didn’t play out fairly that means because the infielder took a slight step again on the plate. In 121 video games for the Padres this 12 months, Kim posted a wRC+ of 101 whereas stealing 22 bases in 27 makes an attempt. That down season has been additional exacerbated by his shoulder woes, which have saved him from taking part within the stretch run and now will take away him from San Diego’s postseason plans totally.
Trying forward for the Padres, it appears doubtless that the membership will now follow Bogaerts at shortstop headed into the postseason, as they’ve executed since shifting him again to the place earlier this month in response to Kim’s damage. It’s been a down season for Bogaerts total as he’s been restricted to only 110 video games thus far by accidents whereas posting a 94 wRC+ that’s his worst since 2014, however he’s managed to show issues round since getting back from the injured listing again in July with a stable .295/.336/.430 slash line throughout 259 plate appearances that’s good for a 116 wRC+. That’s opened second base up for normal begins from Jake Cronenworth, leaving first base out there for a timeshare between Donovan Solano and Luis Arraez, the latter of whom additionally components into the membership’s DH combine alongside David Peralta on days he isn’t taking part in first base.
As for Kim himself, the shortstop will now head into free company going through a brand new layer of uncertainty. Whereas he’s nonetheless all however sure to say no his $8MM mutual choice for subsequent season in favor of a $2MM buyout, it’s doable that groups may very well be extra hesitant to supply the versatile infielder a large multi-year deal this winter resulting from issues about how his shoulder points may impression him on either side of the ball going ahead. Kim appeared prone to be a consensus prime infield choice in free company this winter behind Alex Bregman and Willy Adames, making it straightforward to think about him touchdown a big contract. Between his down 2024 season on the plate and now his impending surgical procedure, nonetheless, Kim’s future appears a bit murkier than it did even a couple of days in the past.
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