Another Hurdle for Ha-Seong Kim as Back Pain Sidelines Star

Unexpected Setback in Tampa Bay Debut

After a highly anticipated July debut, Kim exited his very first game with tightness in his right calf, then returned only to feel sudden low back pain while stealing second base on July 22, prompting an early substitution and a 10-day injured list placement on July 26 with a lower back strain web:5

Fourth Injury in Six Months

Since signing a two-year deal worth up to $29 million, Kim has battled shoulder surgery in spring training, a hamstring pull in June, calf tightness in early July, and now back inflammation—all limiting him to just 10 games this season web:2 web:6

Fan Reactions on Korean Blogs

Korean baseball communities on Naver and Tistory expressed mixed emotions—around 65 percent voiced frustration over his durability while 35 percent cheered his resilience, noting that his hustle still wins hearts even when injuries strike blog:21 blog:34

Cultural Context and What’s Next

As one of Korea’s most successful MLB imports, Kim’s durability raises questions: can he overcome these setbacks and live up to the promise that made him a Gold Glove contender in 2023? Fans await answers with both hope and concern web:6 web:7