Braves deliver concerning update ahead of opening day amid Justin Verlander’s uncertainty

Amid a relatively quiet offseason for the Atlanta Braves, the team has suddenly found itself in the spotlight due to two significant developments: speculation around Justin Verlander’s interest in joining the team and a crucial setback just ahead of Opening Day.

The Braves announced via their official social media channels that they will be without a key player for the season opener. “INF Ha-Seong Kim sustained a hand injury while in Korea and underwent surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right middle finger,” the team revealed.

Following the surgery, Kim is expected to be sidelined for 4-5 months, leaving the Braves without the services of the Korean infielder as they gear up for the regular season. This unforeseen challenge forces the team to explore alternatives to fill the gap in their lineup.

Originally acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays halfway through last season, Ha-Seong Kim was poised to make a significant contribution to the Braves in 2026. He was considered a key offseason addition following last year’s campaign.

Ha-Seong Kim #9 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with teammates.

Kim’s impact in his debut season with the Braves

Despite an overall disappointing end to the Braves’ season, Kim emerged as a valuable asset during his brief tenure on the field. His performance convinced Atlanta of his potential, prompting the team to secure him for the 2026 season with a one-year contract.

Games Played: 24Batting Average: .253Home Runs: 3RBIs: 12OPS: .684Fielding %: .982Braves’ projected lineup without Kim

With Kim unexpectedly sidelined just as the regular season looms, the Braves are now tasked with reorganizing their roster to establish their Opening Day lineup in his absence.

The projected lineup is as follows:

Ronald Acuña Jr. RFOzzie Albies 2BAustin Riley 3BMatt Olson 1BMichael Harris II CFJurickson Profar LFDrake Baldwin DHSean Murphy CMauricio Dubon SS

SurveyCan the Braves find a replacement for Kim?

Can the Braves find a replacement for Kim?

Santiago Tovar is a bilingual sports journalist who joined Bolavip US in 2024. With over seven years of experience, he has covered a diverse range of sports, including soccer, NFL, NBA, tennis, and Formula 1. Santiago has provided real-time coverage of major events such as the 2021 Women’s Copa America, Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana, and the Davis Cup qualifiers. Before joining Bolavip US, he worked at Kienyke.com and Redmas.com.co, where he developed strategies to highlight key sports moments across websites and social media platforms.