Kim Ha-seong of the Atlanta Braves finally returned to the big leagues. How did his first game go?
On May 13 (KST), at Truist Park in Cumberland, Georgia, Kim Ha-seong started as the eighth batter and shortstop in a home game against the Chicago Cubs. He recorded no hits in three at-bats, with one walk in four plate appearances.
It was his first game back after 226 days. His previous appearance was on September 29, 2025, against the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he went 0-for-3 with a walk. In January, Kim slipped on an icy road and suffered a torn tendon in his right middle finger. He underwent surgery, focusing on rehabilitation, and finally returned to the majors.
In his first at-bat, a superb defensive play by the opponent denied him. Facing Cubs starter Colin Rea, Kim worked a full count and pushed a seventh-pitch slider to the outside. The exit velocity was 99.2 mph (about 159.6 km/h), but second baseman Nico Hoerner made a diving catch, and Kim was out on a grounder to second.
In his second at-bat, he managed to settle in. With one out and a runner on first in the fifth inning, he hit a high sinker inside, resulting in a pop fly to third base.
His third at-bat showcased his plate discipline. With two outs and a runner on first in the sixth inning, he faced reliever Ryan Rollison. Kim calmly drew a walk, choosing pitches that missed the zone.
In his final opportunity in the eighth inning, with two outs and runners on first and third, Kim created a grounder to push the ball, but it was again caught by Hoerner at second base, resulting in a groundout.
Kim’s defense was also crisp. In the fourth inning, with one out and the bases loaded, Moisés Ballesteros sent a 107.1 mph (about 172.4 km/h) grounder toward second base. Kim fielded it, spun, and tossed to second base for the force-out. Second baseman Ozzie Albies attempted to turn the double play, but the batter-runner was a step ahead. According to Baseball Savant, the expected batting average on Kim’s catch was .480—the second-hardest-hit ball of the day.
Meanwhile, the Braves won 5-2, extending their winning streak to three games. With a 28-13 record, they firmly hold first place in the National League East. Mike Yastrzemski went 2-for-2 with a home run, one run, and three RBIs, while Dominic Smith went 4-for-4 with two runs scored.
