Ha-Seong Kim has eventful debut for Rays, including a potential injury

MINNEAPOLIS — Ha-Seong Kim spent months — a few more than he expected as his rehab from October right shoulder surgery dragged — looking forward to playing for the Rays.

He had the understandable nerves for his first big-league game since mid-August 2024 for the Padres, and an admirable sense of humility — admitting he hoped to not mess up the good thing the Rays had going — as he prepped for his Friday return to action, batting seventh and playing shortstop.

And he had an eventful debut.

There was a slick play on a 105.4-mph smash by the Twins’ Royce Lewis. There was a 105.3-mph single for his first Rays hit. There was the base he stole in the seventh, followed by the one he got caught trying to get, and apologized for.

But then there was a twist.

Kim left the game after the seventh due to what he and the Rays are hoping was just a cramp in his right calf, and not something worse that could put him right back on the injured list.

“My calf cramped while I was running to third, so there was some discomfort there,” said Kim via interpreter David Lee. “I think we’ll need to re-evaluate (Saturday) but I don’t think it should be a big problem.”

Manager Kevin Cash said the team is similarly waiting.

“We’re hoping it’s more of a cramp,” Cash said. “We’ll just see. It’s kind of day to day. Check on him through the night and then (Saturday).”

The Rays obviously were excited to welcome Kim, who established himself as a dynamic big-leaguer during four seasons with the Padres then, because of his injury, was available to sign with the Rays, who have him on a two-year, $29 million deal with an opt out after this season.

“It’s been highly anticipated, not just by outside guys in this clubhouse, but in here,” Rays starter Zack Littell said after Friday’s 4-3 walkoff loss. “Obviously a guy that can impact the game in a lot of different ways. Excited to get him back. Nice to see him get that hit there. He can do it all. So hopefully this little (cramp) is nothing to worry about and we get to keep seeing him out there.”

Ha-Seong Kim said before Friday’s game that a longer-than-expected rehab was particularly grueling. “Definitely my body not listening to what I wanted it to be. That’s a part, but also just the mental part was very tough.” [ WILL VRAGOVIC | Tampa Bay Rays ]

Kim has played shortstop, second and third base in the majors, and won a Gold Glove in 2023 as a utility player.

While Cash said they would be open to using Kim at second base at times, he also said he “is here to play” and “I’m looking at him as our shortstop.”

That means different roles, and less playing time for Jose Caballero and Taylor Walls, who have split shortstop duties, though they knew Kim was on the way back.

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Both can play elsewhere in the infield (and Caballero also anywhere in the outfield), and with Curtis Mead, who had a utility infield role, sent down to make room for Kim, there will be some additional opportunity.

“(Caballero and Walls) did do a really good job, and they’ll continue to do a good job,” Cash said. “Just try to (have) constant communication. Ha-Seong, obviously, is here to play, but we know those two guys are big parts of our club. The versatility that they’re able to show should help us moving forward.”

Kim, 29, said he didn’t expect to be out this long when he hurt his shoulder diving back into first base in the Aug. 18, 2024, game, nor that his rehab, which included 21 games at Triple-A Durham, would be as challenging as it was.

“Obviously it was a very long rehab journey, and there were some tough times throughout the period,” Kim said before Friday’s game.

The toughest?

“Definitely my body not listening to what I wanted it to be,” he said. “That’s a part, but also just the mental part was very tough. So it was a long period, and I had some hard times, but I got through all of it, and I just want to give a pat on the back to myself.”

Physically, the biggest holdup was how his shoulder felt, and Kim said Tuesday’s game for Durham was when he finally knew it was right.

Ha-Seong Kim had been waiting a long time for his Rays debut. Now Kevin Cash and Co. are hoping it won’t be cut short, the manager saying Kim is “day to day.” [ WILL VRAGOVIC | Tampa Bay Rays ]

Kim said he felt he could regain his past form, but also acknowledged just wanting to be part of what the Rays have accomplished so far.

“I think I just want to just follow whatever the team is doing, and the team is doing really well,” he said. “So I’m pretty confident obviously — that’s why I’m here. I just want to make sure — the team is a good spot, so I don’t want to be in the way, that’s it.”

Cash and several players said they were impressed with what they saw on Friday. Kim was pleased overall and said he felt bad about his unsuccessful decision to try to steal third in the seventh.

Rather than batting with runners on first and second with one out, Josh Lowe came up with just a runner on second and two outs, but singled to extend the Rays’ lead to 3-1.

“It was really great to play alongside these players, but I just wanted to circle back to stealing third,” Kim said. “I put J-Lowe in a tough spot, and I was really sorry for J-Lowe, but I was just happy that he came through with that clutch hit.”

If all is good with his calf, Kim should have plenty of opportunities to make it up.

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