The Major League return clock for Tampa Bay Rays' Kim Ha-seong is ticking faster.

Playing for the Tampa Bay affiliated Triple-A Durham Bulls, Kim Ha-seong made a starting appearance as the second baseman on the 8th (Korean time) in a game against the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, contributing with 2 hits, 1 RBI, 1 run, and 1 walk in 3 at-bats. He played a full-time game that day.

Kim Ha-seong has started at shortstop for two consecutive games. He has been playing in Triple-A rehabilitation games since the 27th of last month. In the first four rehabilitation games, he played as a designated hitter, then switched to second base for two games before returning to designated hitter. He started as a shortstop for the first time on the 6th and played as a shortstop again on this day, marking two consecutive starts at shortstop.

In his first at-bat in the 1st inning, he was retired with a routine flyout to the first baseman against Jacksonville starting pitcher Freddy Tarnok. However, in the 3rd inning with two outs and a runner on first base, he got a single to right field. In his matchup against Freddy Tarnok, he made solid contact on the second pitch of a 1-strike count, hitting an 84.8 mph slider for a hit.

In the 6th inning, with the score tied at 0-0, lead-off batter Chandler Simpson reached base with a bunt single, then successfully stole second base and third base, setting up a no-out opportunity at third base for Kim Ha-seong. In a matchup against left-hander Josh Simpson, he battled through a full count and, on the fifth pitch, pulled an 87.6 mph sweeper for an RBI double. Although it was a ground ball, it was a hard hit with an exit velocity of 104.5 mph (168.2 km), adding an RBI to his tally. Kim Ha-seong also successfully stole third and later scored on Tristan Peters' RBI hit.

In the top of the 8th inning, he came up as the lead-off batter and earned a walk after an 8-pitch battle against Cristian Roa, completing a game with three times on base. However, there were no follow-up hits, and he concluded his at-bats for the day.

Kim Ha-seong’s Triple-A batting average has risen to .172. He has showcased his hitting ability with multi-hit performances in two consecutive games. Having played four seasons with the San Diego Padres since 2021, he ascended as one of the league’s top infielders by winning a Gold Glove in the National League’s institutional sector.

However, he suffered a right shoulder injury last August, and underwent surgery in October for a ruptured labrum.

But Tampa Bay reached out and signed a contract worth $29 million over two years. The salary for the first year is set at $13 million, and $16 million for the following year. After this season, he has the option to opt-out and reassess his value in the market.

Kim Ha-seong has continued his rehabilitation process normally. A return is expected by late April to early May. However, Tampa Bay has delayed his return schedule further, hoping for a complete comeback at shortstop. Erik Neander, the president of baseball operations for Tampa Bay, also noted on the ‘WDAE Radio’ broadcast at the end of April that, “Kim Ha-seong needs to make impactful plays every day, so we need to be cautious. Biologically, we cannot rush the return time,” emphasizing that, “we need a little more patience than initially anticipated for his return.”

He is regularly playing shortstop and building game experience. Kim Ha-seong’s return timeline is getting closer.

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