Kim Ha-seong (30) of the Tampa Bay Rays went hitless for the second consecutive game in a minor league rehabilitation game.
Kim Ha-seong, who is on rehabilitation with the Tampa Bay's minor league Triple-A Durham Bulls, started as the designated hitter in a game against the Memphis Redbirds on the 30th (Korea time) at Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham, North Carolina, recording 0 hits in 4 at-bats, 1 walk, and scoring 1 run.
In the bottom of the 1st inning with no outs and a runner on first, Kim Ha-seong stepped to the plate and drew a walk against left-handed starting pitcher Alex Conwell. Then he scored on hits by Tanner Murray and Bob Seymour, and a sacrifice fly by Carson Williams.
Kim Ha-seong came up as the leadoff batter in the 2nd inning and hit Conwell's 4th pitch, a curveball at 81.3 mph (130.8 km/h), but was caught in a pop-up to left field. In the 3rd inning with one out and a runner on first base, he hit a cutter at 85.2 mph (137.1 km/h), but it was also caught in a pop-up, and the runner on first base, Jake Mangum, failed to return, resulting in a double play.
In the 5th inning with one out, Kim Ha-seong stepped up to the plate for his third at-bat and aimed for a cutter at 83.5 mph (134.4 km/h) from right-handed reliever Michael Gomez, but hit into a ground out to third base. In the 7th inning with one out and runners on first and third, he hit a cutter at 86.2 mph (138.7 km/h) from right-handed reliever Chris Louckrofort, but was caught in a pop-up to right field.
The game between Durham and Memphis ended in a rain call in the 7th inning due to inclement weather. Durham piled up 18 hits and 1 home run, winning 11-8.
Kim Ha-seong, who has a career batting average of .242 over 540 Major League games (1,725 at-bats, 418 hits), 47 home runs, 200 RBIs, 229 runs scored, and 78 stolen bases, played for four years with San Diego and became a free agent last winter. Due to shoulder surgery last October, Kim did not attract much interest from many teams and signed a 2-year, $29 million contract with Tampa Bay. It is effectively a second chance at free agency, as he can opt out after the end of this season.
Originally aiming for a return in May, Kim Ha-seong's recovery has been slower than expected, and he is expected to return in June. However, he has begun participating in rehabilitation games, indicating that a return is imminent. Having played 3 games in the minor league rehabilitation, Kim performed well in his first game with 2 hits in 2 at-bats and 1 walk but recorded 0 hits in the following 2 consecutive games. His rehabilitation game statistics show a batting average of .200 over 3 games (10 at-bats, 2 hits), 1 run scored, and an OPS of .533.
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