Kim Ha-sung participates in baseball activities and the Tampa Bay Rays rehabilitation process is updated

Shortstop Ha-Seong Kim has not officially returned to the team, but will increase his training time with the team this week.

This could be good news for the Tampa Bay Glow. On Monday afternoon, local time, during the local time, in the George W. Before the opening game of the series against the Astros at M. Steinbrenner Stadium, Kim Ha-sung participated in the pre-game defensive training and worked with the team on the batting practice.

Head coach Kevin Cash called it a "pivotal week" for the recovering 29-year-old Kim. If all goes well, Kim Ha-sung could get a spot in the Florida League (FCL) as soon as this weekend, and then possibly head to a high-level minor league team for a rehab mission. Kim Ha-sung has been sidelined for the entire season since undergoing surgery on his right shoulder after an injury last August, requiring plenty of training and a lot of playing before returning to the major leagues. In Monday's training, his infield passing strength and line improved significantly, and he has continued to practice striking since spring training.

The Rays signed Kim Ha-sung to a two-year, $29 million contract in February, including a $2 million incentive clause for the season and a 2026 player option. If he recovers, he will provide a Golden Glove-caliber defense and league-average (or higher) offensive output.

Active shortstop Taylor Walls has evolved defensively this season, leading the MLB with 12 points saved but hitting just 0.198/0.289/0.243 as of Monday.

Cash also provided other positive injury news on Monday:

Rookie fast-legged Chandler Simpson (sore right hand) was not named in the starting lineup but announced that he could be used as a substitute. Simpson, who was injured in a home run on Saturday, was out on Sunday and said his condition had improved dramatically after a one-day break, vowing to keep running at all times.

"Now it's 110 percent hard," he laughs, "so I can get back to home plate safely." "

In addition, back-up pitcher Kevin Kelly (left gluteal strain) and outfielder Jake Mangum (left groin strain) will join FCL Rays on Tuesday for rehab and move to Triple A Durham on Thursday. Backup pitcher Hunter Bigge (right latissimus dorsi strain) joins Durham as soon as Friday after a bullpen practice pitch on Tuesday.