The Atlanta Braves are on a roll—and they're about to get even stronger. With key players trickling back from the injured list, the team is positioning itself for a serious push. Pitchers Spencer Strider and Raisel Iglesias have already made their returns, and now infielder Ha-Seong Kim appears to be next in line.
Kim took another step forward on Tuesday, suiting up for a rehab assignment as he works his way back from a finger injury. According to Braves reporter Grant McAuley, the 30-year-old shortstop went 2-for-4 with a run scored while playing seven innings in the field. If he continues to show no setbacks, a return to the big-league club could come sooner rather than later.
Atlanta re-signed Kim during the offseason with the expectation that he'd anchor the shortstop position. Unfortunately, a finger injury during winter workouts delayed those plans. In 2025, Kim posted a .234/.304/.345 slash line across 48 games split between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Braves—enough to convince Atlanta he was worth bringing back.
During Kim's absence, Mauricio Dubon has admirably held down shortstop duties. Entering Tuesday's matchup against the Seattle Mariners, Dubon was hitting .258/.319/.403 in 34 games. Once Kim returns, Dubon can slide back into his natural utility role, giving the Braves even more flexibility up and down the lineup.
The Braves are also celebrating the return of Spencer Strider, who made his season debut Sunday against the Colorado Rockies. The hard-throwing righty worked 3.1 innings, allowing three earned runs while striking out six—though he did walk five batters. Still, his presence in the rotation is a game-changer for Atlanta's pitching staff.
Behind the plate, catcher Sean Murphy made his season debut as well. While he went hitless in three at-bats, his return gives the Braves much-needed catching depth—a luxury no team can afford to take for granted.
The Braves will continue to monitor Kim's progress and provide updates as his rehab assignment unfolds. For now, things are looking up in Atlanta.