PHOENIX — A labrum tear in Ha-Seong Kim’s right (throwing) shoulder is continuing to jeopardize his postseason availability.
Kim played second base in minor league games at the Padres’ spring training complex in Peoria this week and threw from shortstop, but not with nearly enough intensity to expect a return this season.
“He just hasn’t taken the step forward,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said before Friday’s 6:40 p.m. first pitch. “He just hasn’t been able to be more aggressive and create more intensity on the throwing. Just not been able to take the next step and clearly running out of days in the regular season.”
It was toward that end that Kim headed to Arizona early this week despite the team’s opportunity to clinch a postseason berth in Los Angeles. His teammates patched him into Tuesday’s celebration over a video call. On Friday, Kim met up with them in the visiting clubhouse at Chase Field.
He was not made available to discuss his outlook on a return this season. The Padres are not ruling out a return at some point this season, but offseason surgery is a possibility on the shoulder subluxation that occurred when he dove into first base at Coors Field on Aug. 18.
It’s an injury that might have ended both his season and his tenure as a Padre as Kim will be a free agent after this season if both sides don’t exercise an $8 million mutual option for 2025.
A Gold Glover who garnered MVP votes last year while pairing 17 homers and 38 steals with a .749 OPS, the 28-year-old Kim is hitting .233/.330/.370 with 11 homers and 22 steals this season.
“Clearly he’s frustrated,” Shildt said. “He’s been a big part of this club for a number of years and a big part of this club this year. So I can only speak to my spirits. I wish he were here and playing, but he’s doing and done everything he can to get himself back.
“And right now it hasn’t worked.”
Friday’s lineups
With home-field advantage for the wild-card round still up for grabs, the Padres continue to roll out a variation of their ‘A’ lineup to start a three-game series at Chase Field.
New series starts today. pic.twitter.com/sD25pNkutu
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) September 27, 2024
Luis Arraez will play first base with David Peralta serving as the DH and Kyle HIgashioka will catch Yu Darvish, who is on regular rest and getting the start over left-hander Martín Pérez.
Here is how the Diamondbacks — who need to sweep to avoid needing help to secure a postseason spot — will line up for the opener:
Game 160.https://t.co/epBmrbY9CZ | https://t.co/k9Xjx1tKgF pic.twitter.com/XE0uzfIzdB
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) September 27, 2024
Friday’s pitching matchup
Padres RHP Yu Darvish (6-3, 3.18 ERA)
The 38-year-old veteran became the first Japanese-born pitcher to surpass 2,000 strikeouts in the majors in his last start. Darvish has a 3.15 ERA, 21 strikeouts and a .719 opponent OPS in four starts (20 IP) since coming off the injured list. He last faced the Diamondbacks last year, striking out 15 against 10 walks over three starts (15⅔ IP, 3.45 ERA).
Here is how Darvish has fared against current D-backs:
D-backs RHP Merrill Kelly (5-0, 3.71 ERA)
A calf cramp forced him from his last start, while injuries have limited Kelly to just 12 starts this year. He is 9-3 with a 3.05 ERA in 15 career starts against the Padres, whom he is facing for the first time this season. Kelly allowed seven runs in 10 innings last year against San Diego.
Here is how Kelly has fared against current Padres:
Staff writer Kevin Acee contributed to this report.