The Atlanta Braves were dealt a tough blow this week as newly signed shortstop Ha-Seong Kim underwent surgery to repair a torn tendon in his middle finger. The injury, which occurred while Kim was in Korea, is expected to sideline him for four to five months-meaning Atlanta will likely be without its projected starting shortstop for a significant chunk of the 2026 season.
Kim was a key offseason addition for the Braves, brought in on a one-year, $20 million deal after the team claimed him off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays in September 2025. Though he initially opted out of his player option, he ultimately returned to Atlanta in what looked like a savvy move for both sides. Now, the Braves will have to navigate the early part of the season without him anchoring the infield.
With Kim out, the next man up appears to be Mauricio Dubón, a versatile defender who was acquired in a trade that sent last year’s starting shortstop, Nick Allen, elsewhere. Dubón has played all over the diamond during his career, but he’s likely to step in as the everyday shortstop-at least for now.
That said, the Braves’ shortstop depth behind Dubón is thin when it comes to proven big-league experience. Internally, Nacho Alvarez Jr. has logged innings at shortstop in the minors, but he’s not viewed as a full-time solution just yet. At Triple-A, the team has Luke Waddell and Jim Jarvis, both of whom have played extensively at short, but neither has cracked the majors in a meaningful way.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Atlanta make a move before Spring Training to shore up the position. A veteran with shortstop reps-even in a utility role-would give the Braves some much-needed insurance.
Former Brave Luke Williams is currently a free agent and could be a name to watch. The team also recently moved on from Vidal Bruján and Brett Wisely, two players who provided depth across multiple positions.
The bottom line? This is a setback for a Braves team that had been building a strong infield core heading into 2026.
Kim’s absence creates a ripple effect-not just in terms of defense and lineup flexibility, but also in how the front office approaches the remainder of the offseason. There’s still time to add reinforcements, but with Opening Day creeping closer, the Braves’ shortstop situation just became one of the more pressing storylines to follow.