Tampa Bay Rays infielder Kim Ha-seong, who took a brief pause due to right hamstring pain, took another step toward his return to Major League Baseball by playing in a Triple-A game.
Kim Ha-seong, who is part of the Tampa Bay Triple-A Durham Bulls, was selected as the designated hitter in the game against the Kansas City Royals' Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers, held at Werner Park in Papillion, Nebraska, on the 21st (Korean time).
Returning to the game nine days after the game against the Charlotte Knights of the Chicago White Sox on the 12th, Kim Ha-seong recorded 1 hit and 1 run in 4 at-bats. With two outs and no runners on in the first inning, Kim reached base with a single to left field and successfully stole second base. However, he failed to advance further due to a lack of subsequent hits.
In the third inning, Kim attempted a sacrifice bunt with one out and a runner on third base but was out. Although the runner on third touched home plate, it was not credited as an RBI for Kim. He grounded out to third in the fifth and popped out to center field in the sixth, but in the eighth, he reached base on a walk and stole second base. He then scored on Tristan Peters' double to center field. Kim was replaced in the ninth inning by pinch hitter Jalen Battles. The team won decisively, 12-3.
Meanwhile, Kim Ha-seong, who was with the San Diego Padres, had to end his season early due to a right shoulder injury last August and eventually underwent surgery. After the season ended, Kim, who obtained free agency status, signed a contract with Tampa Bay for up to $31 million over two years.
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