Kim Ha-sung's status, which is only praise for the players that the fans will love, was too much...You're on the verge of injury before you come back

Jul 05, 2025

Kim Ha-sung, who made his debut in the Tampa Bay race. Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Lace

"Don't you know what kind of time Kim Ha-sung spent in San Diego?" I think fans will love him. Because he always puts all of his things on the ground."

This is the words of Kim Ha-sung's fellow Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Josh Lowe. Kim Ha-sung signed a two-year, $29 million (about 39.5 billion won) with Tampa Bay after completing last season. It is less than expected for the first Asian player to win the Golden Glove, but he has put down his greed a little for Kim Ha-sung's FA re-entry. In October last year, he had no choice because of a shoulder injury or surgery.

Tampa Bay predicted at the time of the contract that Kim Ha-sung would return no later than June, but it took longer than expected. Tampa Bay was cautious again. Kim Ha-sung gave him enough time to raise his sense of the game, and he even considered ruining the season completely due to the recurrence of injuries after rushing up. Kim Ha-sung played 21 games in Triple-A in the minor league with a batting average of 0.208, an on-base percentage of 0.352, a slugging percentage of 0.250 with 6 RBIs and 6 steals.

Kim Ha-sung finally made his debut in a Tampa Bay uniform on the 5th (Korea time). He started as the seventh batter and shortstop in an away game against the Minnesota Twins and recorded one hit in three at-bats. First of all, he got off to a not bad start by tasting his hands at the plate, but he was replaced by calf cramps while trying to steal.

Kim Ha-sung was the leadoff hitter in the top of the seventh inning and got on base with a left-handed hit. First hit since transfer. It's been about 11 months since he returned, and how much he must have missed the ground. Kim Ha-sung, who got on base, immediately stole second base and showed off his fast feet. With one out and runners on first and second bases, Kim Ha-sung stole third base once more. The result is tag out. As fellow Lowe put it, Kim Ha-sung tried to pour everything into him from the first game and got an unwanted result. In addition, I got worried because I even had calf cramps. Tampa Bay lost the game 3-4, further subdued the mood.

Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said in an interview with local reporters in the U.S. that "I hope Kim Ha-sung's physical condition is not serious." I think we'll have to wait and see. I'm going to watch the situation until night and tomorrow." He said, "I don't expect it to be a major injury that should go up to the injured list."

Kim Ha-sung also "We will have to look at the condition again tomorrow (6th), but I don't think it's a big problem." Please watch until tomorrow."

Tampa Bay Rays Kim Ha-sung returned to the big league for the first time in 11 months. ImagesYonhap News

Tampa Bay Rays Kim Ha-sung returned to the big league for the first time in 11 months. ImagesYonhapNew

MLB.com said Kim Ha-sung, who signed a large FA contract with Tampa Bay last off-season, made his debut on the same day. It took him 11 months to recover from shoulder surgery last year and return. Tampa Bay signed a two-year, $29 million contract in February even though he was in the process of rehabilitation. Kim Ha-sung was excited to be with his new teammates, and at the same time would have liked to show that the Tampa Bay front office made a good investment.

Kim Ha-sung vowed to help Tampa Bay, which is tied for second place in the American League East, rise higher. It is only two games apart from the Toronto Blue Jays, the leading Toronto Blue Jays, and has a 48-40 record in the season alongside the opponent New York Yankees.

Kim Ha-sung is ready to follow what the team does. The team is doing really well at the moment. I'm really confident. That's why I'm here. But I just want the team to be in a good spot, and I don't want to get in the way."

Coach Cash said, `Kim Ha-sung is talented in both offense and defense. He won't ruin anything. I'm so glad he's back. When we were performing well, he joined the team now just makes our team better."

Lowe said "Kim Ha-sung is a really hard-working player, and he invigorates the lineup. He is also a very dynamic player. He can hit home runs, has good pioneering skills, and is also a good runner and steal. In addition, he praised the top defender.

Tampa Bay pitcher Taj Bradley is also "I'm really excited. Didn't you only watch Kim Ha-sung on TV when he played for the San Diego Padres. Now we can watch him lively in person, and we'll defend him behind my back. He has worked so hard to come so far, and I can feel that he is very excited now. When he was rehabilitating, we talked a few times in the dugout, and you can see it just by looking at his baseball knowledge and game-related IQ. "He made me guess what Kim Ha-sung's evaluation was like and what his status was like in the Major League.