Padres' star shortstop Kim lands on injured list amid slump

South Korean star infielder Ha-Seong Kim of the San Diego Padres is once again sidelined, this time due to inflammation in his right middle finger. He has not played since June 30th and was officially placed on the 10-day injured list. This latest setback adds to a difficult season for the player who was a National League Gold Glove winner in 2023.

Kim's current contract is a one-year deal worth $20 million, which he signed after declining a $16 million player option for the current season. However, his performance has been a stark contrast to his lucrative contract. He suffered an injury in January while slipping on ice in Korea, which caused him to miss the start of the season. He finally made his debut on May 12th, but has since played in only 27 games.

In those 27 games, Kim has accumulated only 5 hits in 73 at-bats, resulting in a dismal batting average of .068 and an on-base percentage of .171. His overall offensive production, measured by wRC+, is a negative 26, indicating he is significantly below league average. This poor performance has drawn sharp criticism, with one report highlighting that each hit costs the team approximately $4 million, questioning the team's patience.

MLBTR suggests that Kim may still be experiencing after-effects from surgery on his right middle finger, contributing to his struggles and earning him the moniker of an "expensive suicide stick." The Padres have recalled infielder Kyle Farmer from Triple-A to fill Kim's roster spot.