Things were looking too good for the Atlanta Braves apparently this offseason, as they've built a strong roster for 2026. Unfortunately, those good vibes could only last so long. Braves fans are too used to major pieces of their roster being injured over the last two years. That pain still hasn't fully healed, and now we learned about yet another disappointing development.
Ha-Seong Kim was expected to be Atlanta's starting shortstop after inking a one-year, $20 million deal. That will not be the case as the Braves announced Kim suffered a hand injury while at home in Korea. Unfortunately, Kim underwent surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right-middle finger. This was completed in Atlanta and Kim has an expected recovery time of 4 to 5 months.
INF Ha-Seong Kim sustained a hand injury while in Korea and underwent surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right middle finger. The procedure was performed by Dr. Gary Lourie today in Atlanta, and the expected recovery time is 4-5 months.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) January 18, 2026
Losing your starting shortstop for half the season doesn't instill confidence that 2026 will be any different for Atlanta. Hopefully, this isn't a sign of things to come.
Ha-Seong Kim's injury has completely turned the Braves' offseason upside-down
It is truly unfortunately that this happened and all signs point to Kim's injury just being a freak accident. According to reports, Kim simply slipped on some ice over in Korea and hurt his hand as a result of the fall. Despite the Braves doing exactly what they should have done to address shortstop this offseason, those plans are now out the window.
The good news is that this is not a season-ending injury. The Braves announced that the recovery time is four to five months which, in theory, means that Kim could return by May. Of course, that is barring any setbacks and we don't know how much of a rehab assignment he will need, but that at least means the Braves can try and find their way and muddle through in the first half.
All of a sudden, trading for Mauricio Dubon matters a whole lot more, although having to watch him hit on a nightly basis isn't exactly amazing. There is also a chance that Kim's injury could open opportunities for Nacho Alvarez or perhaps some other guys down in the minor leagues, although the Braves' farm system at depth is mostly at the lower levels of the minors at the moment.