Kim underwent surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right middle finger, and his recovery time is expected to be 4-5 months. The procedure was performed by Dr. Gary Lourie.
So, the Braves will be without Kim until the middle of May and possibly into June. This opens the door for Mauricio Dubón to begin the season as Atlanta’s everyday shortstop.
Kim injured his right middle finger when he slipped on a sheet of ice while in his native Korea this past week. The 30-year-old missed the first three months of the 2025 season while recovering from offseason right shoulder (labrum) surgery. He also missed time with a back ailment last year.
Kim was claimed off waivers from the Rays in September and he produced a .684 OPS over 24 games for the Braves. Even with his recent health woes, he still was a top target in what was a light free-agent market for shortstops this winter.
With this setback, the Braves will have to wait a couple extra months before learning whether Kim is capable of getting back to where he was in 2023, when he hit 17 homers and constructed a .749 OPS for the Padres.
Dubón was a two-time Gold Glove winner (2023, ’25) at the utility position during his time with the Astros. His greatest value comes from his tremendous defensive versatility. But Braves manager Walt Weiss is among those who have previously said they are confident in Dubón’s ability to handle the shortstop role on an everyday basis.
Atlanta Braves fans, brace yourselves. Shortstop Ha-Seong Kim will be sidelined for an estimated four to five months after undergoing surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right middle finger. The procedure, performed by Dr. Gary Lourie, throws a wrench into the Braves’ plans for the infield.
Kim’s Injury Opens Door for Dubón at Shortstop
The Braves will be without Kim until mid-May, potentially June, giving Mauricio Dubón an opportunity to establish himself as the everyday shortstop.
- Kim sustained the injury after slipping on ice in Korea this past week.
- He previously missed significant time in 2025 recovering from shoulder surgery.
- Mauricio Dubón, a two-time Gold Glove winner, is poised to take over at shortstop.
- Kim produced a .684 OPS in 24 games for the Braves after being claimed off waivers from the Rays in September.
The unfortunate incident occurred while Kim was in his native Korea, a frustrating setback for the 30-year-old infielder. This latest injury adds to a recent history of health concerns; Kim missed the first three months of the 2025 season while recovering from right shoulder surgery and also experienced time on the injured list last year due to a back ailment.
What does this mean for the Braves’ infield? Kim’s absence until at least the middle of May, and possibly into June, creates a clear opportunity for Mauricio Dubón. The versatile Dubón is expected to begin the season as Atlanta’s everyday shortstop.
Dubón brings a strong defensive pedigree to the position, having earned two Gold Glove awards (2023, 2025) while playing primarily as a utility player for the Houston Astros. Braves manager Walt Weiss has publicly expressed confidence in Dubón’s ability to handle the shortstop role on a full-time basis.
Despite the recent injury troubles, Kim was a sought-after commodity this offseason, even being a top target in a relatively quiet free-agent market for shortstops. The Braves acquired Kim off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays in September, and he demonstrated his offensive capabilities with a .684 OPS over 24 games.
The team will now have to wait several months to see if Kim can return to the form he displayed in 2023 with the San Diego Padres, where he hit 17 home runs and posted a .749 OPS.
