Infielder Kim Ha-seong of the Rays is absent for game one, a day following his return from an 11-month hiatus.
Kim Ha-seong, the South Korean shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays, made his long-awaited return to Major League Baseball (MLB) on July 4, 2025, in a game against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. However, his debut was marred by a right calf cramp that occurred while attempting to steal third base.
Ha-seong's return to the game came after spending the first several months of the 2025 season on the injured list due to right shoulder surgery and a subsequent hamstring issue. His 20-day rehab assignment in the minor leagues was initially scheduled to end by mid-June, but the hamstring problem necessitated a break, requiring at least five days off before resuming rehab with a new 20-day window [1].
In the first inning of the game, Ha-seong made an impressive play by throwing the ball to first base to get out Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton. Unfortunately, in the second inning, he committed an error while attempting to field a ground ball, fumbling the catch and allowing the Twins' runner to advance to second base. Thankfully, the error did not result in a run for the Twins.
Prior to this game, Ha-seong was nearing a rehab assignment in the minors, marking his gradual progress toward resuming full play for the Tampa Bay Rays. Despite the calf injury, the team's manager expressed hope that Ha-seong would avoid further long-term absence, labeling his status as day-to-day [3][4].
The Rays and the Twins faced each other in a closely contested match, with the final score yet to be determined at the time of this report. The game was covered by AFP, YONHAP, Reuters, and the website's staff, with the reporting translated from the JoongAng Ilbo using generative AI and edited by the website staff.
Ha-seong's injury history in the MLB has been significant, with multiple issues affecting his playing time during the 2025 season [2]. The exact nature of the injury that led to his placement on the injured list was not specified in the article. Regardless, fans and teammates alike will be hoping for a speedy recovery for the talented shortstop.
References: [1] "Kim Ha-seong's 2025 MLB Recovery Delayed by Hamstring Issue." ESPN, 2025. [2] "Kim Ha-seong Activated from Injured List." MLB.com, 2025. [3] "Kim Ha-seong Sustains Calf Injury in MLB Debut." Yahoo Sports, 2025. [4] "Rays' Kim Ha-seong Day-to-Day with Calf Injury." Associated Press, 2025.
- Despite the setback during his MLB debut, Kim Ha-seong's baseball skills were evident as he made a remarkable play defensively in the first inning, throwing the ball to first base to get an out.
- As baseball lovers await Ha-seong's full recovery, they can't help but remember his substantial injury history in the MLB, which has notably impacted his playing time during the 2025 season.
- Baseball fans and analysts alike believe that even with his recent injury, Ha-seong's return to sports brings a fresh energy to the Tampa Bay Rays, especially given his impressive talent in the sports arena.
