Kim Ha-sung, who started 'Light throw', the regular season is not the problem, can he play in the postseason?

Sep 19, 2024

Kim Ha-sung, who started 'Light throw', the regular season is not the problem, can he play in the postseason?
San Diego Padres Kim Ha-sung is still difficult to throw to first base. This is why there are predictions that the return within the regular season has gone down the drain. AFP Yonhap News
Kim Ha-sung, who started 'Light throw', the regular season is not the problem, can he play in the postseason?
San Diego Padres Kim Ha-seo watches the game in the dugout. USATODAY Yonhap News
San Diego Padres Kim Ha-sung's return to the regular season seems to have effectively gone down the drain.

Kim Ha-sung, who injured his right shoulder while returning to first base due to the opponent's check against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on the 19th of last month (Korea time), was listed on the 10-day injured list (IL) the next day.

He became IL for the first time since entering the Major League in 2021, but was expected to be able to return in 10 days. This is because no structural abnormalities were found on MRI examination, and Kim Ha-sung's condition did not seem so serious that he said "You just need to rest for about 5 days."

However, exactly a month after the IL registration, there is still no news of Kim Ha-sung's return on the 19th. Xander Bogaerts, who turned into second baseman this year and successfully adapted due to Kim Ha-sung's prolonged injury, is taking charge of shortstop again from the Seattle Mariners line on the 11th. In a chain, Jake Cronenworth moved to second base and Donovan Solano to first base.

According to local media, Kim Ha-sung's current status is 'It is difficult to completely throw'. Of course, he injured his right shoulder throwing the ball and his rehabilitation is getting longer. Before the San Francisco Giants match at Petco Park on the 8th, he trained throwing from shortstop to first base when he was training for the team, but his return was postponed indefinitely because he felt uncomfortable.

Kim Ha-sung, who started 'Light throw', the regular season is not the problem, can he play in the postseason?
Kim Ha-sung is stepping down to the dugout with his trainer after injuring his right shoulder while sliding to first base in the third inning against the Colorado Rockies on the 19th of last month (Korea time). AFP Yonhap News
Later, when asked by local reporters about Kim Ha-sung's condition, head coach Mike Shildt expressed "Holding pattern." Kim Ha-sung is gradually increasing his intensity by making light throws that do not feel pain, but local media predict that he still has a long way to go before returning.

Fan media Praise on Base said on the 18th 'Kim Ha-sung plans to start making light throws and increase the intensity over the next few days. It can be called good news. But the Padres still have no mention of his return. It seems unlikely that Kim Ha-sung will return before the end of the regular season.

Another problem with Kim Ha-sung's return is that there is no stage for rehabilitation games. Minor league teams are completing their regular season schedules, with Triple-A El Paso Chihuahua ending the regular season on the 23rd. A player who has undergone rehabilitation for more than a month cannot return without an actual inspection.

Prias-on-base said 'Kim Ha-sung's status to advance to the playoffs as well as the regular season is starting to look precarious'

San Diego will end the regular season with the Arizona Diamondbacks on the 30th. As of today, San Diego is 3.5 games away from the Los Angeles Dodgers, which lead the NL West with 86 wins and 66 losses, and is leading the wild card. It can be said that he has virtually confirmed his advance to the postseason. The FanGraphs suggest San Diego's 99.4% chance of advancing to the postseason.

If Kim Ha-sung ends the regular season as it is, the grounds for demanding a large amount of money in FA negotiations may disappear. This is because even if he returns to the postseason and proves his skills recovery, the perception that there is a serious flaw in 'durability' can spread among clubs.

The Athletic calculated Kim Ha-sung's estimated ransom earlier this year at '130 million to $150 million for seven years'. The contract period itself is highly likely to be reduced to less than four years.





jhno@sportschosun.com