The Atlanta Braves have signed infielder Jorge Mateo to a one-year contract worth $1 million following an injury to starting shortstop Ha-Seong Kim. Kim, who slipped on ice in South Korea and underwent surgery for a torn tendon in his right middle finger, faces a recovery of four to five months. Mateo provides versatile depth as the team adjusts its infield plans.
The Atlanta Braves acted swiftly to bolster their infield depth, announcing the signing of free-agent infielder Jorge Mateo to a one-year deal guaranteed at $1 million. This move comes one day after the team revealed that their projected starting shortstop, Ha-Seong Kim, will miss significant time due to a freak accident.
Kim, a 30-year-old veteran who signed a one-year, $20 million contract with the Braves in December, slipped on ice in his native South Korea last week. He underwent surgery on Sunday in Atlanta to repair a torn tendon in his right middle finger. Medical estimates indicate a recovery period of four to five months, meaning Kim could be sidelined through half of May or possibly into June, missing at least the first six weeks of the regular season.
With Kim out, utility player Mauricio Dubón is expected to take over as the primary shortstop. Dubón brings defensive versatility, having played 107 games at the position over his career with 721 innings logged, though last year's 33 appearances there marked a career high. His career stats include a .257/.295/.374 batting line, translating to an 85 wRC+.
Mateo, also 30, enters free agency after the Baltimore Orioles declined his $5.5 million club option for 2026. Last season, he batted .177 with one home run and a .483 OPS in 43 games for Baltimore, part of a broader career .221/.266/.363 line (75 wRC+) across 1,411 plate appearances since his 2020 debut with the San Diego Padres. Injuries have plagued him recently: an elbow subluxation in 2024 required surgery, followed by elbow inflammation and a hamstring strain in 2025, limiting him to 111 games over the past two years with a .214/.253/.362 slash line.
Despite offensive struggles, Mateo's value lies in his speed and defense. He has succeeded on 84.1% of stolen base attempts (95-for-113) since 2022, including 35 steals that year and 15 in just 43 games last season. Defensively, he has logged 2,320 1/3 innings at shortstop, earning 13 Defensive Runs Saved and six Outs Above Average, with experience at second base, third base, and all three outfield spots.
The signing addresses a depth shortage behind Dubón, where options like Nacho Alvarez Jr. and Aaron Schunk lack extensive shortstop experience or proven big-league production. Mateo's addition allows flexibility, such as shifting Dubón to other positions in late innings while Mateo covers shortstop. Both players bat right-handed and perform better against lefties, suggesting a competition for playing time in spring training until Kim's return.
