Standout Padres infielder suffers jammed shoulder

Ha-Seong Kim suffered what San Diego Padres manager Bob Melvin described as a “jammed shoulder” that led to an early exit from Sunday’s game against the Texas Rangers. Kim suffered the injury while diving to score a run in the third inning and partially colliding with Texas catcher Sam Huff while trying to reach and touch the plate.  The good news is that tests revealed no structural damage and Kim expressed hope that he might be able to play as early as Monday when the Padres start the series in Denver against the Colorado Rockies.

Only nine players have a better fWAR than Kim’s 3.7 total, as his bat (.279/.374/.447 with 14 homers and 21 steals in 391 plate appearances, for a 130 wRC+) and excellent defense (primarily as a second baseman but also at third base and shortstop) have somewhat quietly made him one of the better overall performers in baseball this season.  Even if he misses a game or two, Kim’s presence is key to a team that might still be the biggest unknowns as the trade deadline approaches.  The Padres are 52-54 and are five games out of a wild-card spot, with three other non-playoff teams still ahead of San Diego in the standings.  The Padres are known to be at least listening to trade offers for some of their top names, but The Athletic’s Dennis Lin and Ken Rosenthal write that their “asking prices for both [Blake] Snell and [Josh] Hader…have been exorbitant.”  It seems increasingly likely that San Diego might wait until almost the last minute before deciding whether to sell, buy or (the most probable course) a combination of both tactics.

More from around the NL West…

• J.D. Martinez will undergo an MRI to determine the nature of his nagging left hamstring problem, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters (including MLB.com’s Juan Toribio).  The veteran slugger has been bothered by the injury for almost a week, and tests should determine whether an IL stint might be necessary.  Martinez missed close to three weeks due to back problems earlier this season, but it has otherwise been a strong year for the 35-year-old, who reached the All-Star Game and is hitting .260/.310/.562 with 25 homers over 365 PA.
• The Dodgers got another injury scare Sunday when Will Smith had to leave the game after being hit in the elbow by a Graham Ashcraft pitch.  Smith remained in the game for three more innings after being hit and X-rays were negative, so the catcher is considered day-to-day and might be able to return as early as the Dodgers’ next game on Tuesday.  Another Los Angeles All-Star, Smith has continued to be one of the game’s best catchers, entering today’s action with a 137 wRC+ (from 13 homers and a .279/.386/.474 slash line in 347 PA).
• The San Francisco Giants placed Anthony DeSclafani on the 15-day injured list earlier Sunday due to a right elbow flexor strain, with Tristan Beck recalled from Triple-A in the corresponding move.  Manager Gabe Kapler told reporters (including Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle) that DeSclafani will miss “several weeks” with the injury, which at least creates some question as to whether or not DeSclafani might have thrown his last pitch of the 2023 season.  An MRI revealed a Grade 1 strain after DeSclafani reported some forearm discomfort during a bullpen session.  DeSclafani’s injury might end whatever chance there was that the Giants could deal from their starting pitching depth and it’s even possible San Francisco might look to add an arm before the deadline.  Beck, Sean Manaea or Jakob Junis could all be candidates to replace DeSclafani in the rotation or as bulk pitchers (behind an opener).
• Sticking with the Giants, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reports that San Francisco had interest in both Amed Rosario and Enrique Hernandez before the Dodgers landed both players in respective trades with the Cleveland Guardians and Boston Red Sox.  With Brandon Crawford back from the injured list and Thairo Estrada also back soon, the Giants may no longer have quite as pressing a need for infield help, though Rosenthal feels the Giants could still trade from their pitching depth to address another need.