Padres' Ha-Seong Kim will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery

PHOENIX – After more than a month of unsuccessful attempts to rehabilitate a right shoulder injury, San Diego Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim said Saturday that he will undergo surgery to repair a “small tear” in his Labrum repair. The procedure will end his season and, with Kim nearing free agency, potentially his career in San Diego.

“I think I really tried everything to come back and help the team, but my body just wouldn't listen to my mind,” Kim said through interpreter David Lee. “It’s really frustrating and disappointing because we have a legitimate shot at the postseason and I could have been a part of that.”

Kim became a Gold Glove Award winner and a starter for the Padres after signing a four-year, $28 million contract prior to the 2021 season. The former Korea Baseball Organization star was also relatively durable for San Diego until he injured his shoulder during a pickoff attempt on August 18 and bounced back to first base.

Update from the Padres Clubhouse: Ha-Seong Kim left today's game with a jammed right shoulder.

– San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 18, 2024

Kim and the Padres initially didn't believe the injury was serious. But Kim later learned of the tear in his shoulder, and while he continued to make swings without much problem, he struggled to reach full intensity in a throwing progression. Kim experienced more pain while playing second base in a rehab game earlier this week, prompting him to opt for surgery and focus on getting back to full health in 2025.

“I had no injuries to my shoulder before,” said 28-year-old Kim. “I know a lot of players with a small tear play well because their body adapts to it. So I was hoping that maybe I could come back and help the team.”

Which team he will help next year remains to be seen. Despite the unfortunate timing of his impending surgery, it seems likely that Kim will decline his portion of an $8 million mutual option, receive a $2 million buyout, and hit free agency this winter as a midfielder with coveted versatility Agency enters.

Asked if he thought he might have played his last game for the Padres, Kim said: “I couldn't really focus on it. … All I can say is that I think the San Diego Padres have a legitimate chance to win it all, and the fans have wanted their World Series trophy for a long time. But anything can happen in the future, so we'll see.

“Of course, San Diego is a big part of me because this is my fourth season with them, and in these four years we have fought to win the World Series trophy every year and made great memories. The team almost feels like a family to me now and I think we have a great chance to win the whole thing this year. And even though I won’t be on the field with the team, I will support them wholeheartedly on this trip in the fall.”

In Kim's absence, veteran infielder Xander Bogaerts has made an occasionally rocky transition back to starting shortstop. Bogaerts signed an 11-year, $280 million contract with the Padres at the end of 2022, spent 2023 at his natural position (while Kim won the National League Utility Gold Glove) and moved to second base this spring in Kim's transition to allow back to shortstop.

Bogaerts' recent return to the short position has given infielder Donovan Solano more playing time, but he is a weaker defender than Kim, and the Padres enter next week's Wild Card Series at Petco Park with questions about their depth at the key infield position begin. Other players who could fill in at shortstop include Tyler Wade and Nick Ahmed, two players who joined the organization on minor league deals this year. Ahmed, 34 and a two-time Gold Glover, was scheduled to make his Padres debut Saturday night at second base.

No matter where he is at home in 2025, Kim will be remembered as a fan and club favorite and a valuable artist. After struggling in his first big league season as a reserve, Kim established himself as a starter at multiple positions and delivered 10.5 FanGraphs WAR between 2022 and 2024. Last season, he became the first Asian-born infielder to win a Gold Glove.

“He’s a big part of what we’ve accomplished this year,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said. “He rightly has a lot of respect from the clubhouse and myself.”

(Photo: Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)