The San Diego Padres’ Kim Ha-seong is facing a season-ending injury bug. The 20-homer, 20-double, and even 20-homer, 40-double seasons for Asian players are in jeopardy.
Kim missed the game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum in the United States on April 18 (KST). He was initially listed as the first baseman in the starting lineup, but was removed from the lineup less than two hours before the start of the game.
His sudden exit from the lineup was due to injury. Speaking to local reporters before the game, San Diego manager Bob Melvin revealed that Kim was sidelined with an “abdominal pain” injury.
“According to manager Bob Melvin, Ha-Sung Kim is out of the lineup with abdominal pain. He’s getting checked out,” said AJ Casavale, a San Diego reporter for MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball.
Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported, “Kim left the lineup with abdominal discomfort. He is undergoing tests to determine if the injury is muscular or internal.”
The results of Kim’s examination were not released until the evening of the 17th local time. The extent of the injury will be known only after the results of the examination.
In 143 games this season, Kim is batting .265 with 17 home runs, 58 RBI, 81 runs scored, and 36 stolen bases. He has also been recognized as one of the best defensive players in the majors, playing 795⅔ innings at second base, 245⅔ at third base, and 137⅔ at shortstop.
Kim’s hitting and running ability improved by leaps and bounds from last year, and his home run and stolen base totals increased significantly. His 36 stolen bases are the most by a Korean in the major leagues.
He is on pace to become the second Korean player after Shin-Soo Choo to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases. If he adds three more home runs and four more stolen bases, he will not only go 20-20, but also become the first Asian player to reach the 20-homer, 40-steal mark.
However, a sudden abdominal pain could derail his chances. With only 12 games left in the season, every game is important to Kim.스포츠토토
Without Ha-Sung Kim, the Padres blasted Oakland 10-1 on April 18. Juan Soto went 5-for-5 with a grand slam, two home runs and six RBIs. It was his 31st and 32nd home runs in a row.
Starter Nick Martinez pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings with five strikeouts, followed by relievers Pedro Avila (3 scoreless innings), Tom Cosgrove (1 scoreless inning), and Ray Kerr (2 scoreless innings).
Even with the win, San Diego remains at a dismal 72-78, with a wild-card berth in the postseason virtually out of reach.