Kim Ha-seong’s difficult debut season with the Tampa Bay Rays has taken another setback, as the infielder has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a lower back strain. The move, made Friday in Cincinnati before the Rays began their series against the Reds, is retroactive to Tuesday.
Kim experienced back tightness during Monday’s game against the Chicago White Sox after a stolen base attempt, forcing him to leave the game. He then missed the next two contests and, despite early signs of improvement, was ultimately sidelined again.
The South Korean shortstop had already missed nearly four months recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. He had only just debuted for the Rays on July 4 after signing with the team in February, following four years with the San Diego Padres. Since then, he also dealt with a brief calf issue that sidelined him for three games.
In total, Kim has played in just 10 games this year. He holds a batting line of .226/.314/.355 with one home run, three RBIs, and four stolen bases.
Tampa Bay entered Friday’s matchup with a 53-50 record, sitting 1.5 games behind in the race for the final AL Wild Card spot. Kim, earning $13 million this season—the highest salary on the team—has a $16 million player option for 2026.
