"I was afraid, but I got better"

Kim Ha-sung started the 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) home game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park in San Diego, California, on the 13th (Korea time), but was replaced in the aftermath of the hit ball.

At his first at-bat in the bottom of the second inning with the San Diego Padres leading 2-0, Kim was out after hitting a fly ball to the left field against Dodgers starter Walker Buehler. At his second at-bat, he was hit in the back of his left hand by Buehler's 152 km sinking fastball.

Kim Ha-sung complained of pain right after being hit by Buehler's ball in the bottom of the fourth inning with one out and runners on first and second bases. Once he walked out to first base, he was force-out at second base and returned to the dugout when Luis Araes hit an infield grounder.

San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt replaced Kim Ha-sung during defense in the top of the fifth inning to protect his players. As X-rays did not reveal any abnormalities, Kim is expected to avoid being listed on the injured list.

"When I was hit by the ball (in the bottom of the fourth inning), I was very afraid (it might lead to a serious injury)," Kim said in an interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune after the Dodgers game. "I felt (my hit) getting better as time passed. Now I feel much better."

"My condition is better than when I was hit by the ball. The back of my hand is still quite swollen, so I think I will know tomorrow (May 14) whether I will play or not," he said.

According to the San Diego club, Kim Ha-sung's X-ray test result is negative. However, as he was hit in the back of his hand by such a fast ball, he can only play the game if the swelling subsides and he completely recovers from the pain.

"The trainer diagnosed Kim Ha-sung's hand as not having any major problems, and he would get better, so I put him on first base (after the ball hit by the body)," Shildt said. "After the attack in the bottom of the fourth inning, I thought Kim Ha-sung would need time to recover, so I replaced him."

Since joining the Major League in 2021, Kim has played full-time for three consecutive years without any major injuries until last year. Since the 2022 season, when he became the starting player, he has been absent only to manage his physical stamina.

If Kim Ha-sung gets seriously injured at this point, it will be a huge blow not only to the player himself but also to the San Diego Padres. Kim's four-year contract worth 28 million U.S. dollars, which he signed while transferring from the Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO League ahead of the 2021 season, will end at the end of this year. He can become a free agent and be valued in the market.

Shortstops who combine offense and defense have seen their value soar year after year in the Major League. Kim Ha-sung is young at the age of 29 this year, with proven defense and attack capability. When he won the National League utility player Gold Glove last year, he stood tall as one of the best infielders in the big league. He is highly anticipated to sign a multi-year FA contract worth at least 100 million U.S. dollars.

Choo Shin-soo (SSG Landers) holds the biggest contract ever for a Korean major leaguer. After the end of the 2013 season, Choo left Cincinnati and settled with the Texas Rangers, signing a seven-year contract worth 130 million U.S. dollars.토토