Atlanta Braves shortstop Ha-Seong Kim underwent surgery on Sunday to repair a torn tendon in his right middle finger, sidelining him for four to five months. The 30-year-old infielder suffered the injury after slipping on ice in South Korea. With Kim out until at least May, utilityman Mauricio Dubón is expected to start at shortstop.
The Atlanta Braves announced on Sunday that Ha-Seong Kim, who signed a one-year, $20 million contract with the team in December, will begin the 2026 season on the injured list. Kim injured his right middle finger while in his native South Korea this past week, slipping on a sheet of ice. The procedure to repair the torn tendon was performed the same day in Atlanta by Dr. Gary Lourie, with an expected recovery time of 4-5 months. This timeline means Kim could miss games until the middle of May or possibly into June.
"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 Braves announced. "The procedure was performed by Dr. Gary Lourie today in Atlanta, and the expected recovery time is 4-5 months."
This marks the second straight season Kim starts on the injured list. The 30-year-old missed the first three months of the 2025 campaign recovering from offseason right shoulder labrum surgery and also dealt with a back ailment the previous year. Kim was claimed off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays on September 1, 2025, and posted a .234 batting average with five home runs and 17 RBIs over 24 games split between the Rays and Braves. Earlier in his career with the San Diego Padres, he hit 17 homers and had a .749 OPS in 2023, showcasing his potential as a top defensive shortstop with Gold Glove caliber play.
The Braves, who finished 76-86 in 2025—their worst record since 2017—and ranked last in MLB with a .549 OPS at shortstop, now turn to Mauricio Dubón. Acquired from the Houston Astros on November 19 in exchange for infielder Nick Allen, the two-time Gold Glove winner (2023 and 2025 at utility) brings defensive versatility. Braves manager Walt Weiss has expressed confidence in Dubón's ability to handle everyday shortstop duties.
Kim's absence adds uncertainty to Atlanta's infield plans ahead of spring training, with pitchers and catchers reporting on February 10 and the regular season opening March 27 against the Kansas City Royals at Truist Park.
