Kim became a free agent Monday after exercising the opt-out clause in his contract, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
After Kim slashed just .234/.304/.345 in 48 games for Tampa Bay and Atlanta in 2025, it was not a given that he would opt out of the $16 million he was owed in 2026. However, the 30-year-old ultimately has decided to test out the free-agent market. Atlanta has a hole at shortstop, so it will likely make an effort to re-sign Kim, but he'll now be free to negotiate with all teams.
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Braves' Ha-Seong Kim: Extends hit streak with fifth homer
Rotowire
Kim went 1-for-3 with a walk, a home run and two RBI in Sunday's win over the Tigers.
The shortstop took Casey Mize deep in the fourth inning for a solo shot, extending his hit streak to nine games in the process. During that stretch, Kim is batting .394 (13-for-33) with two of his five homers on the season, along with eight RBI and 10 runs. It's been a tough, injury-plagued campaign for Kim, but a strong finish to 2025 could make it more likely he declines his $16 million player option for 2026 and hits the open market this winter in search of a long-term contract.
Kim went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Friday's win over the Tigers.
The infielder took Chris Paddack deep in the eighth inning as part of a 10-1 rout. Kim has hit safely in seven straight games, batting .423 (11-for-26) over that stretch, and in 16 games since joining Atlanta he's slashing .316/.375/.439 with two of his four homers on the season, and 10 of his 15 RBI.
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Braves' Ha-Seong Kim: Taking seat for nightcap
Rotowire
Kim is out of the lineup for the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Nationals.
Kim started at shortstop in the matinee and went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. The 29-year-old will head to the bench for the nightcap, allowing Nick Allen to pick up a start at shortstop.
It was a nice beginning to his Atlanta tenure, as Kim got the start at shortstop and hit sixth in the order after being claimed off waivers from the Rays and activated from the IL earlier in the day. The 29-year-old infielder should be the team's starting SS for the rest of September as he tries to wrap up a tough, injury-plagued 2025 with a strong final month.
Kim went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's win over the Cubs.
The 29-year-old clubbed the first pitch he saw from Drew Pomeranz in the seventh inning over the left-field fence, erasing a 1-0 deficit in an eventual 5-1 win. Incredibly, it was the first home run by an Atlanta shortstop this season, as the team has gotten a league-low .535 OPS at the position in 2025. The long ball was the third of the year in 26 games for Kim, who should handle starting duties the rest of September after making his Atlanta debut Tuesday.
Atlanta activated Kim (back) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday.
Kim was scooped up from the Rays via waivers Monday and now joins the active roster with his new club. The 29-year-old has been limited to only 24 games this season due to injury and has slashed an uninspiring .214/.290/.321 when on the field. However, Kim should operate as Atlanta's everyday shortstop down the stretch, and with a $16 million player option for 2026, he could be the team's regular at the position next season, as well.
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Braves' Ha-Seong Kim: Claimed by Atlanta
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Atlanta claimed Kim (back) off waivers from Tampa Bay on Monday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Atlanta will be on the hook for the roughly $2 million remaining on Kim's contract this season, and the 29-year-old holds a $16 million player option for 2026. Kim had been on the shelf since Aug. 21 due to lower back inflammation, but he's ready for activation, according to Rosenthal. The 29-year-old infielder got off to a delayed start of the 2025 season after undergoing labrum surgery last fall, and he's slashed just .214/.290/.321 over 24 games at the big-league level while also missing time with calf, foot and back injuries. Once he's reinstated, Kim could wind up getting a look in an everyday role at shortstop for Atlanta down the stretch.
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Rays' Ha-Seong Kim: Could return upon roster expansion
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Kim (back) isn't expected to return from the 10-day injured list until at least Monday when team rosters expand to 28 players, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.
Kim has played just 29 major-league games this season due to multiple injuries, most recently lower-back inflammation that landed him on the 10-day IL on Aug. 21. He's eligible to return from the IL on Sunday, but the Rays will wait to bring back the 29-year-old shortstop until at least Monday. Carson Williams has played well since making his major-league debut Aug. 22, but it's unclear what his role will be once Kim has returned.
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Rays' Ha-Seong Kim: Progressing well
Rotowire
Kim (back) fielded grounders Wednesday, and Rays manager Kevin Cash said the team is "happy with the progression" the infielder has made, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.
Kim has been receiving treatment for lower-back inflammation and appears to be trending in the right direction. He's eligible for activation from the 10-day injured list Saturday, and the infielder may be ready to return by then. Carson Williams is off to a hot start while filling in for Kim at shortstop, but he could be pushed aside soon if the Rays elect to reinstall Kim as their primary option at the position.
The Rays will place Kim (back) on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Kim was scratched from Wednesday's lineup with back tightness and evidently the injury is bad enough to require another trip to the IL for the veteran infielder. The 29-year-old Kim has been limited to only 29 games this season due to myriad injuries, and he's slashed just .214/.290/.321 in those contests. It's not clear how long Kim will be sidelined this time around. Top prospect Carson Williams will take Kim's spot on the active roster.
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