[GLOBAL ECONOMIC TIMES] Ha-seong Kim (28, San Diego Padres) ends his season due to shoulder surgery.
Not only was participation in the postseason canceled, but there was also a cloud over the long-term contract that would be pursued by obtaining free agent (FA) status after the season.
Mike Shildt, head coach of MLB's San Diego, announced on the 29th (Korean time) that the season of Kim Ha-seong, who was placed on the injured list due to right shoulder pain ahead of the away game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, is over. .
A few minutes later, Ha-seong Kim stood in front of reporters and announced that he was planning to have shoulder surgery. This is a surgery to repair a slightly torn labrum, and the exact date of the surgery is unknown.
Ha-seong Kim said in an interview with American media, "I did everything I could to return to the team and help, but my body did not work as I wanted. This season is over. I feel very disappointed and frustrated."
According to a report in the local newspaper San Diego Union Tribune, Ha-seong Kim said, "The San Diego team is a team that means a lot to me," and "I have worked hard with my teammates to win the World Series championship trophy every year for the past four years and have made great memories." I looked back.
He added, "This team is like family to me, and we have a golden opportunity to win this year. Although I cannot be with the team this fall, I will sincerely support my teammates."
Ha-seong Kim came into the dugout complaining of shoulder pain after sliding to first base while the opposing pitcher was in check during a game against the Colorado Rockies on August 19.
Afterwards, he was placed on the injured list due to shoulder inflammation and prepared to return, but the slow pace of recovery caused concern.
Because he was unable to properly make the most important throw to the shortstop, he was unable to join the team and ended up going on the operating table.
As a result, Ha-seong Kim finished the 2024 season with a batting average of 0.233, 11 home runs, and 47 RBI.
Due to the sudden surgery, Kim Ha-seong's post-season activities became the focus of attention.
Ha-seong Kim signed a contract with San Diego in 2021 for a 4+1 year contract with a guaranteed amount of $28 million, up to $39 million. The guaranteed amount includes a buyout of $2 million.
Ha-seong Kim, who played for four years until this year, will receive an annual salary of $8 million in 2025 if his contract with San Diego is extended by one year.
Ha-seong Kim received $2 million in farewell from San Diego and became a free agent after the season, dreaming of signing a long-term contract worth more than $100 million, but faced a situation where he had to reorganize his negotiation strategy due to an unexpected shoulder surgery.
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