- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 470,771
- Reaction score
- 45
A checkup on Rays shortstop Ha-Seong Kim’s surgically-repaired right shoulder provided good news and showed him to be “doing exceptionally well” — and in some aspects ahead of schedule in his recovery — Rays officials said Friday in several interviews.
But to make sure Kim is fully ready and prepared for the challenge of playing shortstop on a regular basis, the window for his return to those duties has been pushed back from May to the mid-June/mid-July range.
“He’s still a ways away,” Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters in San Diego. “It was a major surgery, major procedure. We’re thrilled with how he’s feeling to date, but it is a large load to go take on everyday shortstop. So we’ve just got to continue to pace him out and let the rehab process continue.”
Baseball operations president Erik Neander said they want to be “on the careful side” that Kim is ready for daily duty and to make “impact plays,” noting “you can’t shortcut the biology.” Also a factor is providing time for an extended prep period and rehab assignment, similar to a full six-week spring training.
“We probably want to maybe be a little bit more patient — not meaningfully so — than some of the timelines we’ve been kicking around to get back to shortstop and playing at full go,” Neander said on WDAE radio.
But there also are scenarios where Kim could return earlier if the Rays were going to use him in a less stressful way, such as playing second base or in a utility or DH role.
Cash said they won’t have those conversations until Kim is closer to game action and reiterated “we envision him eventually being our shortstop.”
Kim, who played for the Padres 2021-24 had labrum repair surgery on Oct. 10 in Los Angeles by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who he saw on Thursday. He agreed in late January to join the Rays, getting a two-year, $29 million contract that included an opt out after this season.
In other injury updates:
“It is a steady and slower process, progression than what any of us want,” Neander said on WDAE. “There’s no setbacks or anything. But you’re really at the mercy of the nerve and its ability to heal, but it is coming along.”
• • •
Sign up for the Sports Today newsletter to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida.
Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on X and Facebook.
Continue reading...
But to make sure Kim is fully ready and prepared for the challenge of playing shortstop on a regular basis, the window for his return to those duties has been pushed back from May to the mid-June/mid-July range.
“He’s still a ways away,” Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters in San Diego. “It was a major surgery, major procedure. We’re thrilled with how he’s feeling to date, but it is a large load to go take on everyday shortstop. So we’ve just got to continue to pace him out and let the rehab process continue.”
Baseball operations president Erik Neander said they want to be “on the careful side” that Kim is ready for daily duty and to make “impact plays,” noting “you can’t shortcut the biology.” Also a factor is providing time for an extended prep period and rehab assignment, similar to a full six-week spring training.
“We probably want to maybe be a little bit more patient — not meaningfully so — than some of the timelines we’ve been kicking around to get back to shortstop and playing at full go,” Neander said on WDAE radio.
But there also are scenarios where Kim could return earlier if the Rays were going to use him in a less stressful way, such as playing second base or in a utility or DH role.
Cash said they won’t have those conversations until Kim is closer to game action and reiterated “we envision him eventually being our shortstop.”
Kim, who played for the Padres 2021-24 had labrum repair surgery on Oct. 10 in Los Angeles by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who he saw on Thursday. He agreed in late January to join the Rays, getting a two-year, $29 million contract that included an opt out after this season.
In other injury updates:
- Outfielder Jake Mangum is expected to miss close to a month due to a left groin strain sustained Wednesday. Neander said the standard timetable is two to four weeks and the Rays expect Mangum, who plays a speed game, to be closer to the longer end of the window.
- Outfielders Johnny DeLuca (right shoulder strain) and Josh Lowe (right oblique strain) are both improving and on track, with no setbacks, to rejoin the Rays around mid-May. Outfielder Richie Palacios (right knee sprain) is targeting early June.
- Starter Shane McClanahan, sidelined since late spring with a nerve issue in his triceps, has started light throwing and is improving but there is no timeline for his return.
“It is a steady and slower process, progression than what any of us want,” Neander said on WDAE. “There’s no setbacks or anything. But you’re really at the mercy of the nerve and its ability to heal, but it is coming along.”
• • •
Sign up for the Sports Today newsletter to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida.
Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on X and Facebook.
Continue reading...
