How did Kim Ha-sung become a $13 million glass body. Reason for replacing the White Sox game = Back pain. It's already my second injury since my return. Proof of health has become a top priority

Jul 22, 2025

Should I say it's a relief in the midst of misfortune or a sign of bad news.

The reason for the replacement of Kim Ha-sung (30), the Tampa Bay Rays' highest annual salary, who was immediately replaced by a logistical guard after failing to play a double play due to a clumsy throw at the beginning of the game, was revealed.

Kim Ha-sung is George M. in Tampa, Florida, USA on the 22nd (Korea time).He started the home game against the Chicago White Sox at Steinbrenner Field as the sixth shortstop and came out to bat as the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the second inning before being replaced in the defensive inning in the top of the fourth inning. Second baseman Jose Caballero was put in as a logistical guard, and Taylor Walls, who was the starting second baseman, moved to the shortstop position that Kim Ha-sung was in charge of.

It was a completely unexpected situation. Therefore, there were many speculations about why Kim Ha-sung was replaced. The reason was revealed after the game.

First of all, it wasn't that he was replaced with a reprimand because he couldn't complete the double play with a bad throw. It was the least likely number of cases in the first place. Also, it was not that he had pain in his right shoulder, which he underwent surgery last year. The recurrence of a shoulder injury was suspected for the reason that the throw was not done properly, but fortunately, the shoulder condition turned out to be fine.

However, it is true that he was replaced due to injury. The area was right around the waist. I can understand why this situation happened by looking back at the two scenes from the airlift before they were replaced.

First, his first at-bat in the bottom of the second inning.

Kim Ha-sung, who came out as the leadoff hitter, walked against opposing right-hander Sean Burke. Kim Ha-sung has four walks in the last four games. There is one per game. On this day, Kim Ha-sung easily got on base using his opponent's ball control difficulties. Burke threw three straight balls while trying to hit the outside course. The fourth pitch passed through the body's strike zone, but the fifth ball floated high again and drew a walk.

Kim Ha-sung, who went to first base, succeeded in stealing second base at the subsequent Christopher Morell at-bat. Recently, Kim Ha-sung has been stealing in three consecutive games. It can be seen as the result of a commitment to help the team attack in some way. However, Kim Ha-sung's steal on the day did not lead to a team score. Subsequent hitters failed to make a timely hit.

The problem is that the back pain occurred in the process of making this steal. The opposing battery was conscious of Kim Ha-sung's steal. Burke also fired a surprise check ball. Kim Ha-sung returned home in a hurry by sliding. Then, the moment Morell struck out three pitches, he quickly stole second base. He put head first sliding on the front foot. At this time, he didn't seem to have much impact on his back.

Subsequent defensive innings in the top of the third inning.

The White Sox continued their offense with one out and runners on first and third bases. Tampa Bay starter Shane Baz threw a first-pitch cutter off Colson Montgomery, who came out to bat, to draw a groundout to first base. Tampa Bay's first baseman advanced and caught the ball. At the same time, shortstop Kim Ha-sung entered the cover play as second base and second baseman Walls as first base.

This is a double-play defense formula that professional infielders have already played thousands of times. After stepping on the second base, Kim Ha-sung received an accurate throw from the first baseman and forced out the leading runner. Now, if you throw hard to first base, you're done with a double play.

Tampa Bay shortstop Kim Ha-sung (second left) receives a throw from the first baseman with one out and runners on first and third in the top of the third inning against the Chicago White Sox on the 22nd and throws to the first base for a double-out. MLB TV coverage.

However, Kim Ha-sung's throw to first base, which received the ball while stepping on the base, was not good. Perhaps conscious of Robert Jr., who was sliding to second base, the ball thrown to the side throw did not fly in a straight line quickly, but slowly headed to first base, drawing a gentle parabola.

The direction was also inaccurate. He leaned to the left of the glove of Tampa Bay second baseman Walls, who was stepping on the first base. Walls eventually had no choice but to take his foot off the base and catch it. If Walls didn't catch it well, he would have gone to the dugout with a bad pitch.

Tampa Bay shortstop Kim Ha-sung's throw to the left of the first base is coming in. Tampa Bay second baseman Walls, who entered the first base cover, moved off the base to the left and managed to catch it.

MLB TV broadcast screen capture.

In the end, Tampa Bay failed to finish the inning and allowed one more run. The White Sox won the game early by scoring a large number of six points.

And Kim Ha-sung was replaced by Caballero after the Tampa Bay attack in the bottom of the third inning. If you look at the two scenes mentioned above again, you can understand why they were replaced. It can be inferred that Kim Ha-sung suffered an injury to his waist during the sliding process in the bottom of the second inning, which caused him to fail to make a proper throw when defending in the top of the third inning. If he tried to throw only with his arms without a waist turn, the throwing was not supported, and the direction was inaccurate.

Ryan Bath, an on-site reporter for the Tampa Bay game, said "Kim Ha-sung left the field because he felt back pain in today's game." Mark Topkin, a reporter for the Tampa Bay Times, also said, `Kim Ha-sung has been replaced by back pain.'

It is fortunate that the shoulder was not injured again, but it is quite worrisome that a second injury has already occurred since returning. It is also a situation in which pain has occurred in different parts (right calf, waist) that has affected the performance. There is a concern that Kim Ha-sung, who was like the epitome of 'hard body', may have become 'free body' after going through a long rehabilitation due to a shoulder injury.

Kim Ha-sung is also disappointed. "I've never been hurt this much in my career," he told local media. It's really disappointing." Then "When I was sliding, I felt strong (on my waist). I tried to keep playing, but it didn't work out. I think we'll have to wait and see until tomorrow for now."

If the minor injuries continue like this, Kim Ha-sung's plan to challenge 'FA Jae-soo' after this season will inevitably go up in smoke. In the FA market, the 'first reference point' for clubs to see players is health. No matter how outstanding he is, it is difficult to get a good evaluation if he is a glass body that is vulnerable to injury.

Kim Ha-sung will have to prove his health at the same time as his ability as the team's highest salary for the rest of the season.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.