This week, expectations for TB manager of Big Week are this high, and Kim Ha-sung is likely to return to the minor leagues as early as early as early as June

May 20, 2025

This week, expectations for TB manager of Big Week are this high, and Kim Ha-sung is likely to return to the minor leagues as early as early as early as June
Tampa Bay Rays Kim Ha-sung accompanies the team to an away game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on the 26th of last month (Korea time) to watch the game with an interpreter. AFP Yonhap News



This week, expectations for TB manager of Big Week are this high, and Kim Ha-sung is likely to return to the minor leagues as early as early as early as June
Kim Ha-sung is coming out after batting training in the batting cage ahead of the home game against the Colorado Rockies on March 29 (Korea time). UPI Yonhap News
It is news that Kim Ha-sung of the Tampa Bay Rays, who seemed to have been forgotten at the beginning of the season, has begun full-fledged rehabilitation training.

MLB.com said on the 20th (Korea time) 'Spider Kim Ha-sung is yet to join the race, but he will do much more with the team this week'

Kim Ha-sung participated in team training ahead of the three consecutive home games against the Houston Astros that began at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. According to MLB.com , Kim Ha-sung played both defense and batting training. Tampa Bay coach Kevin Cash described this week when Kim Ha-sung begins his full-fledged preparation as 'Big Week'.




Kim Ha-sung, who suffered a right shoulder injury in August last year when he was in the San Diego Padres and ended the season early, is currently in the final stages of rehabilitation.

MLB.com said, `If everything goes well, coach Kathy said, Kim Ha-sung will participate in the rookie-level Florida Complex League this weekend, start a rehabilitation game, and then move to a high-level minor league team for full-fledged adaptation training.'

This week, expectations for TB manager of Big Week are this high, and Kim Ha-sung is likely to return to the minor leagues as early as early as early as June
Kim Ha-sung is rushing back to sliding in response to the opponent's surprise check after hitting a hit in the third inning against Colorado on August 19 (Korea time) last year. It's the moment when I hurt my shoulder. Photo = MLB.TV Capture
Kim Ha-sung injured his shoulder against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 19. At that time, Kim Ha-sung, who hit a left-handed hit in the top of the third inning, injured his right shoulder joint as soon as he touched the base while rushing back when right-hander Bradley Blaylock was in a surprise check at Luis Arraez's at-bat. The result of the examination was a rupture of the wasp. Kim Ha-sung underwent surgery on October 11, after the regular season, and it was expected that he would be inevitable to miss the beginning of the season as he needed rehabilitation for 6-8 months.




Although he has begun full-fledged rehabilitation training, it will take more time to return to the big leagues. MLB.com said, "'Considering the period he took off after injuring his shoulder in August last year, a lot of field and batting training are needed before he can play in a big league game.'" However, Kim Ha-sung's infield throw was noticeably stable and strong in defensive training. The batting exercise has been carried out since the previous spring training.

In other words, as the feared pitching power has improved, you only need to find a sense of hitting. In this situation, it is expected that he can return as early as early as next month.

This week, expectations for TB manager of Big Week are this high, and Kim Ha-sung is likely to return to the minor leagues as early as early as early as June
Kim Ha-sung signed a two-year, $29 million FA contract with Tampa Bay in February. AP Yonhap News
Kim Ha-sung qualified as an FA last year, but he was unable to receive the expected offer before his injury in the aftermath of shoulder surgery. In the end, he was able to sign with Tampa Bay for two years and $29 million ahead of the opening of spring training in February. This year's annual salary is $13 million, with $2 million in incentives for grades. Next year, it will be set as a player option and will receive an annual salary of $16 million.




In other words, Kim Ha-sung can become an FA again by invoking the player option after this season if he wants. It remains to be seen whether he will return in early June and regain his performance to aim for a 'jackpot' worth more than $100 million over the remaining three to four months. If that's not the case, I'll play for Tampa Bay next year.

Taylor Walls, who is looking at shortstop instead of Kim Ha-sung, has the best defense in the Major League, but his bat is weak. As of today, DRS (loss-control defense) is ranked first overall with 12, but the batting average is far below expectations with a batting average of 0.198 (22 hits in 111 at-bats), one home run, nine RBIs, 15 points, and OPS of 0.532.

MLB.com expressed expectation that when Kim Ha-sung returns, he will be able to provide a Gold Glove winner-like defense and a major league average or higher offense.



This article was translated by Naver AI translator.