The Atlanta Braves were once seen as a potential landing spot for Bo Bichette, but they ultimately went in a different direction, investing $20 million in Ha-Seong Kim. That move, at the time, looked like a solid play for infield versatility and contact hitting. But now, just 24 games into his Braves stint, Kim is heading back to the shelf - and in the most Mets-like way possible: a broken hand from slipping on ice.
It’s a tough blow, both literally and figuratively. Kim is expected to miss 4-5 months, which puts a serious dent in Atlanta’s early-season plans.
The timing couldn’t be worse, and it’s a reminder of how quickly a lineup can shift - not from a 98 mph fastball or a diving catch gone wrong, but a misstep on a frozen sidewalk. That’s baseball sometimes.
And now, it’s Mauricio Dubon’s time to step up.
The Injury Bug Is Back in Atlanta
It’s hard not to feel a bit of déjà vu here. Injuries derailed the Braves in 2025, turning what should’ve been a tightly contested NL East race into a runaway for the Phillies.
Atlanta’s rotation was stretched thin - Bryce Elder was the only starter to eclipse 25 starts, and even he didn’t crack 30. That’s not the kind of stability you want from your arms.
Offensively, things weren’t much better. Ronald Acuña Jr. missed half the season, and Austin Riley managed just over 100 games.
That’s a lot of firepower on the bench instead of in the box. The Mets had a golden opportunity to capitalize, but couldn’t take advantage.
And now, as 2026 begins, it feels like the Baseball Gods are still handing out curveballs - but not in the way pitchers want.
A Quiet but Calculated Offseason
Despite the setbacks, the Braves haven’t sat idle this winter. Their bullpen got a serious boost with the additions of Raisel Iglesias and Robert Suarez - two arms that can lock down late innings and shorten games.
In the outfield, Mike Yastrzemski brings veteran experience and a lefty bat that can provide balance. And while they haven’t yet made a splash in the starting pitching market, they remain a team to watch.
And let’s not overlook the coaching staff shuffle. Atlanta pulled first base coach Antoan Richardson from the Mets, and also added longtime Mets pitching coach Jeremy Hefner.
If Hefner can help stabilize Atlanta’s staff - or more importantly, keep them healthy - it could be one of the most underrated moves of the offseason. Mets fans might not feel it now, but if Braves pitchers start showing improved command or durability, they’ll know exactly where to look.
The NL East Picture
This latest injury probably won’t shake up the NL East power rankings much - largely because the Mets may already be ahead of the Braves on paper. New York has managed to avoid the injury bug so far this offseason, and that alone gives them a head start.
But we all know how spring training goes. Once pitchers and catchers report in February, it’s only a matter of time before someone tweaks a hamstring or lands awkwardly on a slide.
For now, the Braves will regroup, reshuffle, and look for answers internally. Dubon has a chance to carve out a meaningful role.
The bullpen looks deeper. And if the rotation can stay upright, Atlanta still has the pieces to contend.
But as this latest fluke injury shows, the margin for error in the NL East is razor thin. One slip - literal or otherwise - can change everything.
And a final word of advice for players across the league: maybe skip the snowmobiles this winter.