Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) is targeting a June/July return to the lineup for the Rays. He is reportedly doing well in his rehab from offseason shoulder surgery last October to fix a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Although he has not seen any game action, he has been throwing, hitting, and taking ground balls since March. The Rays will likely want to get him some minor league action before his return, and if that is the case, the Rays will try to get him playing by mid-May, if he is targeting a June/July return. Kim, a career .242/.326/.380 hitter, will likely take over daily shortstop duties for the Rays upon his return. Kim is a decent stash in 14-plus team leagues or should solely be relied on as a base stealer in category leagues.

Tampa Bay Rays infielder Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) is reportedly doing well in his rehab from offseason shoulder surgery last October to fix a torn labrum in his right shoulder. "He's doing very, very good. Took ground balls yesterday off the new clay that we have in place," manager Kevin Cash said. The 29-year-old didn't play in any games in spring training, but he was throwing, hitting and taking ground balls by the end of camp. He originally was hoping to make his Rays debut before the end of April, but since he has yet to embark on a minor-league rehab assignment, it's likely we won't see Kim for the first time in Tampa until early May. Once Kim is officially activated from the IL, he's expected to serve as the Ray's everyday shortstop. The South Korean is unlikely to repeat his breakout season in 2023 with the Padres, but at the very least he should be a nice source of steals as a middle infielder in deep-mixed and AL-only leagues.

Free-agent infielder Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) and the Tampa Bay Rays agreed to a two-year, $29 million deal on Wednesday that includes an opt-out clause after the first season, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. Kim is coming off labrum surgery but is expected to return in May and is slated to take over at shortstop for the Rays when he's ready to make his 2025 debut. Fantasy managers are going to be skeptical, and rightfully so, especially coming off shoulder surgery. It's a fair bet that the 29-year-old South Korean native's 2023 season with the San Diego Padres -- when he hit .260/.351/.398 with 17 homers, 60 RBI and 38 steals -- is his high-water mark. He dropped down to a .233/.330/.370 line with 11 homers, 47 RBI and 22 steals in 121 games last year. Kim is a nice source of speed, but coming off injury and going to a much weaker lineup in Tampa, his fantasy stock will be down considerably.

According to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, free-agent infielder Ha-Seong Kim remains a target for the Detroit Tigers. Petzold noted that the team continues to view him as a possible "fallback" option if the team fails to sign Alex Bregman. However, Bregman remains Detroit's top priority. Kim is not expected to be ready for Opening Day as he is still recovering from shoulder surgery. The Houston Astros have re-emerged as potential favorites to plan Bregman as contract talks have resumed, and the team recently traded relief pitcher Ryan Pressly to open salary. Last season, Kim posted a .233/.330/.370 line with 11 home runs and 22 stolen bases. He showed an elite eye at the plate with a 16.4% K rate and a 12.3% walk rate.

MLB Network's Jon Morosi reports that free-agent infielder Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day after having surgery to fix the labrum in his right shoulder. However, Kim should be game-ready at some point in the first half of the 2025 campaign. It explains why his free-agent market has developed slowly this offseason and why he still remains available. Morosi mentions the Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants as possibilities to sign Kim. San Fran signed Willy Adames to play shortstop but could have an opening if Tyler Fitzgerald doesn't pan out in his first full season. The M's signed Donovan Solano recently, but they could want to add Kim for more infield depth. The 29-year-old will have eligibility at SS, but his mediocre power and injury make him a big question mark in fantasy after he hit just .233 with 11 homers and 47 RBI in 2024. At the very least, Kim will retain value for his speed -- 60 steals in the last two seasons.

According to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, free-agent infielder Ha-Seong Kim is viewed as a "fallback" option if the Tigers are unable to sign either third baseman Alex Bregman or outfielder Anthony Santander. While the Tigers are reportedly "all-in" on Bregman and have expressed strong interest in Santander, Kim would be a fine "Plan C." Last summer in San Diego, Kim held a .233/.330/.370 slash line with 11 home runs and 22 stolen bases across 121 games. He showed a stellar eye at the plate with a 16.4% strikeout rate and a 12.3% walk rate. Kim underwent shoulder surgery in October and is only expected to miss the first month of the 2025 season. If he were to sign with Detroit, he would likely be given most of starts at shortstop and see occasional opportunities at the hot corner. His signing would limit Trey Sweeney's plate appearances and potentially Jace Jung's as well.

The Detroit Tigers are interested in signing free-agent infielder Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) as they look to add a right-handed bat this offseason. Kim hits from the right side and has the ability to play shortstop, third base or second base, although he's also recovering from surgery on his right shoulder to fix a torn labrum. Because of the surgery, the 29-year-old Korean infielder won't be ready for the start of the 2025 season, although he should make his season debut in the first half. Kim could opt to settle for a one-year deal this offseason and then look to reset his market and re-enter free agency at age 30. In his last three seasons with the San Diego Padres, Kim hit .250 with a .336 on-base percentage, 11% walk rate and 17.9% strikeout rate. Kim's best asset is his speed, but his middling power and injury will drive hi price down in fantasy drafts this upcoming spring.

Free-agent infielder Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) is generating "lots of interest" in the early days of free agency, according to a source. The San Francisco Giants are reportedly one of the teams focused on signing Kim, while the Milwaukee Brewers have also been connected to the 29-year-old, who finished the year on the injured list with a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Tyler Fitzgerald was impressive for the Giants at shortstop in 2024, but new president of baseball operations Buster Posey said this week that the team prefers to add a shortstop this winter. Skipper Bob Melvin managed Kim in San Diego, and Kim played with outfielder Jung Hoo Lee for Team Korea in the World Baseball Classic. Kim won a Gold Glove in 2023 but came back down to Earth in 2024 while posting 11 homers, 47 RBI, 22 steals and a .700 OPS in 121 games.

According to Dennis Lin of The Athletic, San Diego Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim has declined his mutual option with the team and will enter free agency. The infielder ended his campaign early after suffering a shoulder injury in August, which caused him to undergo surgery in October. Through 121 games this season, the 29-year-old held a .233/.330/.370 line with 11 home runs, 47 RBI, and 22 stolen bases. He showed a great eye at the plate with a 12.3% walk rate, which is one of the best marks in the sport among qualified hitters. Fantasy managers should monitor his progress during the offseason as he will likely miss time during the start of the 2025 campaign due to the shoulder surgery. Fantasy managers should view him as a safe option for speed with excellent on-base skills.

San Diego Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) underwent shoulder surgery on Thursday, according to Dennis Lin of The Athletic. Kim has been sidelined since Aug. 20 with shoulder inflammation. He attempted to return in time for October but was ultimately shut down late into September after facing several setbacks. Through 121 games this summer, the 28-year-old posted a .233/.330/.370 slash line with 11 home runs and 22 stolen bases. He held a stellar 12.3% walk rate and 16.4% strikeout rate, which gave him a significant boost in points leagues. Fantasy managers should monitor his progression over the winter, but he should be ready to return in time for spring training. Kim remains a solid low-end shortstop in rotisserie leagues given his ability to steal bases and hit for decent power.

San Diego Padres infielder (shoulder) has begun a throwing program but has continued to feel discomfort in his ailing shoulder, according to MLB.com. Kim has still been able to make "light" throws but has still faced a few setbacks when attempting to throw harder. It is still unknown if Kim could return to San Diego before the conclusion of the regular season. Kim hit the injured list in late August with shoulder inflammation. Before the injury, the 28-year-old carried a stellar 12.3% walk rate with a .233/.330/.307 line. He hit 1 1 round-trippers and swiped 22 bags. Fantasy managers should continue to stash Kim on their bench in case Kim can return during the final week of the regular season. However, the team may opt to keep Kim sidelined until the playoffs.

San Diego Padres infielder Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) has begun to play light catch and is set to begin to ramp up his throwing program over the next few days, according to the Associated Press. The infielder has been sidelined since mid-August with shoulder inflammation. While he has yet to take any significant steps forward in his rehab process, it is a promising sign to see him begin to ramp up his intensity. Kim has not been ruled out for the remainder of the regular season and could still return to action before October. Throughout the summer, Kim has held a .233/.330/.370 line with 11 long balls and 22 stolen bases. Kim boasts a stellar 12.3% walk rate and a 16.4% K rate, which gives him an added boost in points leagues. For now, fantasy managers should expect Xander Bogaerts to see time at shortstop when not covering the keystone. In addition, Tyler Wade and Mason McCoy should also see time in the starting nine.

San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt said on Sunday that shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) is "not as close as we'd like" to making his return from right-shoulder inflammation. The news could prompt the club to move Xander Bogaerts, who made the move from shortstop to second base this year, back to his former position. Kim hurt his shoulder three weeks ago diving back into first base, and the team was initially optimistic he'd return after the minimum 10-day stint on the injured list. But as Kim has attempted to ramp up his throwing, he has continued to feel discomfort. He took ground balls at short and attempted to ramp up his throws across the diamond on Saturday, but he's yet to be able to do so at 100% effort. At this point, the Padres are probably just hoping the 28-year-old will be available to them if they secure a spot in the playoffs.

San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt said on 97.3 The Fan that shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) is expected to rejoin the team during their series in St. Louis against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium this week. Kim will most likely resume baseball activities during the team's road trip, although it's unclear if he'll come off the 10-day injured list on the first day he's eligible on Thursday. The Padres never considered the 28-year-old infielder's shoulder injury to be all that serious, so his placement on the IL was more a precaution than anything. It would be a bit of a surprise if he's not back in the starting lineup by this weekend's series in Tampa against the Rays at Tropicana Field. In the meantime, rookie Mason McCoy should continue to see most of the action at the 6 for the Friars while batting ninth. The 29-year-old has held his own with five hits in his 17 at-bats over six games since Kim's injury.

San Diego Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) has been placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Aug. 19. There is some good news, though, as Padres manager Mike Shildt said Kim isn't likely to require much longer than a minimum stay on the injured list. Kim injured his right shoulder while diving back to first base during Sunday's game. The team had Kim undergo an MRI, which didn't reveal any significant damage to his shoulder. Despite that, the Padres are going to play it safe and give Kim some time off. In a corresponding move, Matthew Batten has been recalled from Triple-A El Paso. The 29-year-old is likely to platoon with Tyler Wade at shortstop until Kim returns. Fantasy managers looking for reinforcements should look elsewhere, as neither player offers much upside with the bat.

San Diego Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) remains absent from the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Minnesota Twins. This is a bit concerning after Kim was removed from Sunday's game after suffering a right shoulder injury while diving back into first base. The organization said on Monday that they're still evaluating Kim's MRI results. He hasn't been placed on the injured list yet, but fantasy managers shouldn't be shocked if it happens. Tyler Wade should continue seeing increased playing time at shortstop until Kim is ready to return. This season, Wade is slashing .235/.311/.252 with eight RBI in 73 games. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for help as Wade isn't offering much right now.

San Diego Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) is out of the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Minnesota Twins. This comes a day after Kim suffered a right-shoulder injury while diving back into first base on a pickoff attempt during Sunday's contest. Kim underwent an MRI on Monday, but the results of those tests are unknown right now. Tyler Wade will take over at shortstop and bat ninth versus right-hander Zebby Matthews on Monday. Wade has been decent for a bench option, but isn't someone worth rostering while Kim is out. Fantasy managers should get another update on Kim's status within the next day or two.UPDATE: Manager Mike Shildt said that Kim's MRI was somewhat favorable initially, but the skipper is cautious about too much optimism. More imaging may be needed, and there's no timetable for Kim's return to the lineup. The Padres are still evaluating whether an injured-list stint is needed.

San Diego Padres infielder Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) is set to undergo an MRI after exiting early during Sunday's game against the Colorado Rockies. Kim injured his right shoulder while diving back into first base on a pickoff attempt. The organization is uncertain about the severity of the injury which is why they'll need additional testing done on Monday. Tyler Wade took over at shortstop over Sunday's game. The assumption is that he'll see increased playing time until Kim is back in the mix. Wade is hitting .241 with eight RBI this season, so he'll be fine for a few games, but isn't a long term solution if Kim is forced to miss an extended period of time.

San Diego Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim and catcher Kyle Higashioka will both head to the bench on Wednesday as the team looks for a three-game sweep of the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates at Petco Field. Tyler Wade will start at the 6 and bat ninth, while Luis Campusano will do the catching and hit eighth against Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller. Kim hasn't been nearly as effective as he was in his breakout 2023 season while batting leadoff for the Friars. The 28-year-old South Korean is hitting near the bottom of the lineup this year, but he remains useful in fantasy for his speed (22 stolen bases). After a strong start to the year, Campusano has struggled offensively, allowing Kyle Higashioka to become SD's favored backstop. Higashioka is hitting only .224 (38-for-170), but he already has a career-high 14 homers in his first year in San Diego.

San Diego Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (triceps) is back at shortstop and is hitting eighth in the batting order for Thursday's series finale in Pittsburgh against the Pirates and right-hander Luis L. Ortiz at PNC Park. Kim was held out of the starting lineup for the first two games of the series in Pittsburgh due to right-triceps soreness, but the 28-year-old infielder came off the bench on Wednesday to replace the injured Jurickson Profar (knee) in the sixth inning and went 1-for-1 with a walk, stolen base and run scored, so it's not that big of a surprise that he's back in the starting lineup a day later. He hasn't been quite as good as he was in 2023, but Kim is still useful in most fantasy leagues, mainly for his speed (21 stolen bases). The South Korean native is currently slashing .225/.325/.358 with 10 homers, 44 RBI and 58 runs scored in 374 at-bats.