Ha-Seong Kim sits again as Chadwick Tromp draws Braves start

chadwick tromp was in the Braves' lineup Wednesday as Ha-Seong Kim got the day off against the Miami Marlins in Miami. Mauricio Dubon started at shortstop while Kim headed to the bench for the second time since his activation from the 10-day injured list on May 11.

Braves shuffle in Miami

The move came during a four-game set that was tied 1-1 before the Wednesday game. Kim remained available in a pinch-hit role, but Atlanta chose to keep him out of the starting lineup as it worked through his early struggles since returning.

Through his first seven games with Atlanta, Kim went 2-for-23 with a.087 average, a 3:5 BB:K, two runs and one RBI. Those numbers left the Braves looking for a different shortstop look in the middle of a series that still had plenty on the line.

Kim's slow start

Kim had been dealing with a hand injury from before the season started, and the issue began when he slipped on ice. The Braves claimed him at the end of the 2025 season, then signed him to a one-year, $20 million contract before the 2026 season.

He has not produced much since arriving in Atlanta. Across 110 total at-bats with the Braves in 2025 and 2026, Kim was hitting.218 with a.599 OPS, and he had three home runs in 24 games with the club.

Dubon takes shortstop

Dubon got the start at shortstop Wednesday, giving Atlanta a different option while Kim was held out. The Braves' choice suggested they were willing to keep managing the position rather than force Kim back into the lineup on a day when his bat had little momentum.

For Atlanta, the immediate question is how often Kim will get these breaks if the slow start continues. A short rest in Miami showed the club is prepared to adjust on the fly while the series is still level and the shortstop spot remains unsettled.