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Rays extend Ha-Seong Kim's IL stint, select former KBO League starter

ByMason Stacy|
Jun 12, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Connor Seabold (43) walks onto the field before the start of the game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Jun 12, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Connor Seabold (43) walks onto the field before the start of the game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images

Two pieces of news have recently surfaced and both of them were rather surprising. Rays newly signed shortstop Ha-Seong Kim has been placed on the 60-day IL to allow for a more secure recovery. Meanwhile, former Red Sox prospect Connor Seabold has been selected to join the Rays roster as a depth option in the rotation or in the struggling bullpen. These moves were definitely unexpected, but the Rays front office tends to get return on their risky decisions.

Rays place Ha-Seong Kim on 60-day injured list

If there is one player that Rays fans are itching to see in their club's uniform, it's Gold Glove infielder Ha-Seong Kim. Tampa Bay surprisingly signed the former San Diego Padre to a two-year deal out of free agency, but they haven't been able to see the fruits of this transaction yet.

Originally, the fleet-footed infielder was expected to make his Rays debut in late May. Well, that time frame has been pushed back due to some extreme caution. The front office believes that the shoulder surgery that their future shortstop underwent should not be taken lightly. Kim will likely join the team's lineup in the middle of June at the earliest. This report comes in the middle of a tough home stretch for the Rays as they've dropped eight of their last ten home contests.

Rays select starting pitcher Connor Seabold, option reliever Mason Englert

In a corresponding move, the Rays have sent former Tigers reliever Mason Englert to Triple-A Durham. Englert has had a tough stretch as he's given up seven earned runs in his last two appearances against the Yankees and Phillies. These are certainly great offenses, but the efficiency needs to be better out of the bullpen if the Rays are going to win their close games. The right-handed hurler's ERA has raised to 6.00 and he's accrued 18 strikeouts in 18 innings. Hopefully, he can improve his craft in Durham, so he can aid in the relief core in the back end of the season.

Connor Seabold has been added to the Rays current roster with the hopes of making his first MLB start since his 2023 season with the Colorado Rockies. That campaign didn't go as planned with Seabold finishing with a 1-7 record and a 7.52 ERA.

However, the 29-year old knew he had solid innings left in him, so he took his talents to the KBO where he shined as a starting pitcher for the Samsung Lions. Seabold went 11-6 with a 3.43 ERA and 158 strikeouts. This success caught the eyes of the Rays front office in the hopes that he could translate those numbers to the big leagues. After 27.2 innings in Triple-A, he is off to a respectable start, producing a 4.55 ERA and punching out 26 opponents. His next start has not been scheduled yet and he may appear out of the pen at the forefront, but hopefully he can enjoy a well-deserved stretch of triumph.

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