▲ Atlanta Braves' Kim Ha-seong
The position of Atlanta Braves infielder Kim Ha-seong (30) appears to be increasingly precarious.
Kim remained on the bench during today's (June 10) away game against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois, in the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) season.
After appearing in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays on June 4, he made a start against the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 7, but has since been sidelined for two consecutive games.
Kim, who is set to become a free agent (FA) after this season, is currently struggling with a severe slump, batting .096 (5 hits in 52 at-bats) with an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of .271.
Local reports suggest the possibility that the Atlanta organization may look to use Kim as a trade chip.
Following the conclusion of the 2024 season, Kim entered the free agent market for the first time and signed a two-year deal worth up to $29 million with the Tampa Bay Rays, effectively choosing to "bet on himself" for another year.
After moving to Atlanta, he exercised his opt-out clause following the 2025 season to re-enter the free agent market, eventually signing a one-year, $20 million contract with Atlanta.
Having failed to meet expectations due to the lingering effects of injuries, Kim had expressed confidence in a rebound this season, but he has struggled to regain his batting rhythm.
Meanwhile, Erick Fedde, who was named the KBO League regular season MVP in 2023 while playing for the NC Dinos, pitched as the second reliever for the White Sox today, delivering a solid performance with 5 innings, 6 hits allowed, no walks, 4 strikeouts, and 2 runs allowed.
He entered the game in the top of the first inning with two outs and runners on first and second, with his team trailing 2-0, and performed his role effectively.
Fedde currently holds a 1-5 record with a 4.69 ERA this season.
Atlanta, the sole leader of the National League East, lost 5-6 in a 10-inning extra-inning thriller today, ending their three-game winning streak.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.