The Padres had to secure a non-wild card spot Ha Seong Kim. The shortstop jammed his right shoulder when he fell into first base during a pickoff attempt on August 18th. The Padres placed him on the injured list a few days later with a diagnosis of shoulder inflammation.

San Diego initially expressed optimism that it would be a short-term absence. Instead, Kim has been out for more than five weeks and is not close to returning. Manager Mike Shildt provided a disappointing update on the Gwynn & Chris show tonight on 97.3 The Fan in San Diego (X-Link).

“He just couldn’t get over that hump with his throws,” Shildt said. “Hitting is not a problem, that part is good, but he wasn't able to throw consistently when there was something behind him. … We're still figuring out what's going to happen, but right now he's not in a position where we can count on him in the near future.” In response to a follow-up question about whether there is a date that will be the window for Kim's return this season officially closes, Shildt replied, “There is, and maybe we’ll get there.”

Making matters worse, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune (on X) reports that Kim may need an offseason labrum repair. That would be a brutal blow if he returns in free agency. The guaranteed portion of his four-year contract is coming to an end. As is the case with most players who retire from Korea or Japan, he is eligible for free agency despite having less than six years in the MLB. Kim will decline his portion of a mutual $8 million option for next season. He will receive a $2 million buyout and return to the market.

If he's healthy, he has good reason to sign a strong four-year contract. Kim's ability to play and defend throughout the infield was incredibly valuable. He stole 38 bases a season ago and has gone 22-27 on the basepaths this season. Kim doesn't have overwhelming hitting power, but he has reached double-digit home run territory in three straight years. He takes a lot of walks and rarely strikes.

Kim hit .233/.330/.370 in 470 plate appearances during the regular season. As of the start of 2022, he carries a .250/.336/.385 slash line. Just a few months ago, Kim's durability was, ironically, one of its biggest selling points. This is the first time in his four MLB seasons that he has landed on the injured list.

It will take at least a few more weeks to find out what impact the injury will have on Kim's free agent stock. The Padres' more immediate focus is on their playoff infield. San Diego kicked Xander Bogaerts back to the left side of the dirt. Jake Cronenworth has moved to second base. This opens first base time for Donovan Solano and some defensive reps for the primary DH Luis Arraezwith David Peralta moves into the lineup as designated hitter while Arraez is on the field. The Padres came calling Nick Ahmed last weekend to work as a defensive specialist behind Bogaerts.