As a result of X-ray, OK. Thankfully, Tampa Bay's Kim Ha-sung escaped a left foot injury from hitting a foul ball
Jul 14, 2025
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Kim Ha-sung of the Tampa Bay Rays, who returned to the Major League after 11 months of rehabilitation, avoided another dizzying injury threat. No injuries were found as a result of the post-match examination. However, it is still necessary to pay attention.
Kim Ha-sung started as the eighth shortstop in an away game against the Boston Red Sox in the 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts on the 14th (Korea time), but he was hitless in three times at bat. As a result, Kim Ha-sung's batting average for the season, which has been hitless in the last two consecutive games, has decreased to 0.227 (5 hits in 22 times at bat).
Still, he seemed to have not recovered his normal hitting sense.
Kim Ha-sung made his return to the Major League through a game against the Minnesota Twins on the 5th. Kim Ha-sung, who injured his shoulder against the Colorado Rockies on August 19 last year while a member of the San Diego Padres, returned to the MLB stage after 320 days of surgery and rehabilitation. In his return match, he showed off his robustness by recording one hit and one stolen base from three times at bat.
However, in the process of stealing from second base to third base, he had to rest for the next three days due to pain in his right calf. Coach Kevin Cash's forced double steal operation was the root of the fire.
Kim Ha-sung then returned to the Detroit Tigers on the 9th and recorded one hit in four at-bats, and then hit consecutive hits on the 10th (against Detroit) and the 11th (against Boston) and seemed to regain his normal pace. In the game on the 9th, he had his first multi-hit and double of the season, and in the game against Boston on the 11th, he even hit his first home run of the season.
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In the end, Kim Ha-sung, who returned to the match against Boston on the 13th, had no hits in four at-bats and one strikeout in three at-bats on the 14th.
In particular, in the game on the 14th, there was a dangerous scene in which he was hit in the foot three times. It was his third at-bat in the top of the seventh inning.
Third match against opposing starting pitcher Bryan Beau. Kim Ha-sung pulled a 94.9-mile (152.7 kilometers per hour) low sinker on the third pitch in the ball count 1B1S. However, the ball hit Kim Ha-sung's left foot and became a foul. Kim Ha-sung grimaced.
Then, when the sinker (93.4 miles) on the fourth pitch entered a similar course, he swung the bat again. Again, the ball hit Kim Ha-sung's left ankle. This time, the shock seemed to be even greater. Kim Ha-sung collapsed as if he collapsed at the plate. Kim Ha-sung, who stood up after a while, took steps to check his condition. The pain seemed to have lingered for quite some time.
Soon after, Kim Ha-sung, who came to the batter's box again, made a full count by selecting low balls with five and six pitches. However, when the sinker came into the body again in the seventh pitch, he swung the bat this time. Of course, the ball hit the right knee. Kim Ha-sung's ordeal continued. He was seen forced to swallow the pain after getting out of the batter's box. In the end, Kim Ha-sung had no choice but to stand and watch the ninth sinker (94.8 miles) stick in the middle of the strike zone following the eighth foul.
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MLB.COM said "Kim Ha-sung was hit with a strong foul ball on his left foot in the bottom of the seventh inning in a game at Fanway Park. He remained at bat until the end, but was replaced at defense after the inning was over."
Multiple hits in the same area not only accumulate pain but also increase the risk of injury. Kim Ha-sung's injury, which returned after a whopping 11 months, is also a huge loss for Tampa Bay. It is necessary to pay close attention.
Therefore, Tampa Bay seems to have immediately examined Kim Ha-sung after the game. Thankfully, no signs of injury were detected. Director Kevin Cash said "X-ray examination revealed no major problems. I'll watch him for a day or so" he said.
Fortunately, Major League Baseball will enter the All-Star break after the game. Tampa Bay will play three consecutive home games against Baltimore starting on the 19th after a four-day break. Kim Ha-sung earned enough time to shake off the impact of the hit and improve his condition. Attention is focusing on whether 'Awesome Kim's performance will continue in earnest from the second half of the year.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
