If you’re a fan of the Atlanta Braves, you probably spent most of last season watching games through your fingers. It was brutal. Just when you think the "injury bug" has finally packed its bags and left North Georgia, something ridiculous happens. Honestly, it’s starting to feel less like bad luck and more like some sort of targeted cosmic prank.
The big news today—and I mean literally today, January 18, 2026—is enough to make any Braves fan want to scream into a pillow. Ha-Seong Kim, the $20 million solution to the team's revolving door at shortstop, is already down. He hasn't even played a spring training game yet.
The Ha-Seong Kim Disaster: A Slip on the Ice
Basically, the Braves announced this afternoon that Kim suffered a significant hand injury while home in South Korea. The culprit? A patch of ice. He reportedly slipped, fell, and tore a tendon in his right middle finger.
You can't make this stuff up.
He’s already had surgery in Atlanta, performed by the well-known Dr. Gary Lourie. The timeline is the real kicker: he’s expected to be out for four to five months. If you do the math, that puts his return somewhere between late May and mid-June.
🔗 Read more: Texas vs Oklahoma Football Game: Why the Red River Rivalry is Getting Even Weirder
For a guy who just signed a one-year, $20 million deal to solidify the infield, this is a gut punch. Kim was supposed to be the bridge to stability after the post-Dansby Swanson era became a bit of a mess. Now, the Braves are back to square one before pitchers and catchers even report to North Port.
What This Means for the 2026 Infield
So, who plays shortstop now?
The team will likely turn to Mauricio Dubón. The Braves were actually pretty smart to grab him from the Astros earlier this offseason. He’s a Gold Glove-caliber defender, which is great, but let's be real—he doesn't bring the same offensive upside or "vibe" that Kim does.
Aside from Dubón, the depth is lookin' a little thin. You’ve got internal options, sure, but nobody that makes you feel super comfortable heading into Opening Day. Expect Alex Anthopoulos to be working the phones over the next few weeks. He’s not the type to just sit around and hope for the best.
💡 You might also like: How to watch vikings game online free without the usual headache
The Good News (Relatively Speaking)
While the Kim news is a mess, the rest of the Atlanta Braves injury report actually has some glimmers of hope.
- Spencer Schwellenbach: There was a lot of worry about his elbow last year, but the latest updates are surprisingly positive. He’s expected to enter spring training without any real limitations. If he can stay healthy, that rotation looks a lot scarier.
- Ronald Acuña Jr.: We’re finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. After missing a massive chunk of time, he’s projected to be a full go for the 2026 season. No more "will he or won't he" for Opening Day—he's back.
- Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley: Both dealt with some nagging stuff late last year (hand and abdomen issues), but both are listed as "probable" for the start of the season.
The Pitching Staff: Still Some Holes to Fill
Pitching is where things get a bit more complicated. It’s a mix of "he's back" and "see you in 2027."
- AJ Smith-Shawver and Danny Young: Both are recovering from Tommy John surgery performed in mid-2025. They aren't coming back anytime soon. Expect them to spend most, if not all, of 2026 on the shelf.
- Grant Holmes: He’s been dealing with elbow inflammation. The team is calling him "questionable" for Opening Day, but he might just need a little extra time in the sun to get that arm right.
- Joe Jiménez: He had knee surgery in October. He’s another one who is currently 50/50 for the start of the season.
Why the Braves Can’t Catch a Break
It’s kinda weird, right? For two years now, the Braves have been the poster child for "What If?" What if Strider didn't go down? What if Acuña stayed healthy?
The Kim injury is just the latest chapter in a book no one wants to read. Falling on ice in Korea is a freak accident, but when it happens to the guy you just spent $20 million on, it feels personal.
📖 Related: Liechtenstein National Football Team: Why Their Struggles are Different Than You Think
Honestly, the Braves have built a roster that is deep enough to survive this, but it puts a massive amount of pressure on the "big dogs" like Matt Olson and Chris Sale to carry the load early on.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're tracking the Atlanta Braves injury report for fantasy baseball or just because you’re a die-hard fan, here is what you need to keep an eye on:
- Monitor the waiver wire: Anthopoulos is famous for finding gold in the bargain bin. Watch for the Braves to pick up a veteran utility infielder in the next 14 days.
- Dubón's Spring Stats: If Mauricio Dubón struggles at the plate in February, the pressure to make a trade will skyrocket.
- The Rotation Health: Keep an eye on Schwellenbach’s velocity during his first few spring starts. That will tell you everything you need to know about his elbow.
- Kim’s Rehab: Hand injuries can be tricky for hitters. Watch for updates in April to see if he’s actually swinging a bat. If that timeline pushes into July, the Braves are in real trouble.
The 2026 season is already a rollercoaster, and we haven't even seen a pitch yet. Stay tuned, because with this team, the news changes by the hour.