### Braves Shortstop Ha-Seong Kim Faces Extended Recovery After Offseason Injury - Atlanta Braves shortstop Ha-Seong Kim is set to miss four to five months due to a torn tendon in his right middle finger, which required surgery. This injury occurred during the offseason while he was in South Korea, significantly impacting the Braves' roster as they prepare for the upcoming MLB season. Kim had recently signed a one-year contract worth $20 million, aimed at filling a critical position for the team [https://apnews.com/article/braves-ha-seong-kim-injury-326ab2c49aed264c332ed9bf6ba64bc7]. ### Breakdown of the Injury and Its Implications 1. **Injury Details**: - Kim suffered a torn tendon in his right middle finger, necessitating surgery [https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2026-01-19/sports/baseball/braves-shortstop-kim-haseong-has-surgery-to-repair-torn-tendon-in-middle-finger/2503229]. - The injury occurred due to a slip on ice while he was in South Korea [https://www.southernsportstoday.com/2026/01/18/braves-inf-ha-seong-kim-finger-out-4-5-months]. 2. **Expected Recovery Time**: - The Braves have announced that Kim is expected to be sidelined for four to five months, which could affect his availability for the start of the season [https://nypost.com/2026/01/18/sports/braves-ha-seong-kim-to-miss-at-least-4-months-after-falling-on-ice-in-injury-crusher]. 3. **Impact on the Team**: - Kim was anticipated to be the starting shortstop, and his absence creates a significant gap in the Braves' lineup. The team may need to rely on other players, such as Mauricio Dubon, who was acquired in the offseason [https://www.ajc.com/sports/2026/01/braves-shortstop-ha-seong-kim-suffers-hand-injury-will-miss-4-5-months]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Contract and Expectations**: - Kim signed a one-year, $20 million contract, which was seen as a crucial move for the Braves to strengthen their infield [https://apnews.com/article/braves-ha-seong-kim-injury-326ab2c49aed264c332ed9bf6ba64bc7]. - **Injury Timeline**: - Surgery was performed on January 18, 2026, with the recovery period extending into the regular season [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/seong-kim-injured-miss-much-201235657.html]. ### Conclusion: A Major Setback for the Braves - **Key Findings**: 1. Ha-Seong Kim's injury is a significant setback for the Atlanta Braves as they head into the 2026 season. 2. The team will need to adapt quickly to fill the void left by Kim's absence, potentially impacting their performance early in the season. 3. The injury underscores the unpredictability of offseason training and the importance of player health management. - The Braves will be closely monitoring Kim's recovery while strategizing on how to best utilize their roster in his absence [https://www.ajc.com/news/2026/01/braves-shortstop-ha-seong-kim-has-surgery-to-repair-torn-tendon-in-middle-finger].