Kim Ha-seong, the Korean infielder for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB) who is currently on the injured list due to inflammation in his right middle finger, has stepped up his recovery by participating in a rehab game.

Kim played as the starting shortstop and batting second for the FCL Braves in a home game against the FCL Twins at CoolToday Park, Atlanta's spring training facility in North Port, Florida. He finished the game with 2 hits in 3 at-bats and 1 RBI.

Kim hit a solo home run over the left-center field fence in his first at-bat in the first inning.

This marks Kim's first home run in a live game, including both the major and minor leagues, this year.

Prior to this game, Kim had not hit a home run in 36 games combined, including 27 games in the major leagues and 9 games in the minor leagues.

After striking out in the third inning, Kim reached base with a clean single to left field in the fifth inning.

The game was played for only seven innings.

The Florida Complex League (FCL) is a rookie-level league consisting of teams that have spring training facilities in Florida.

Kim, who underwent surgery after tearing a tendon in his right middle finger from a fall on the ice in January, returned to the major leagues in mid-May after rehabilitation. However, he was placed on the 10-day injured list on July 5 after recording a batting average of .068 (5 hits in 73 at-bats).

Outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr., who is also recovering from a left hamstring injury, participated in the same game and went 0-for-3.

According to MLB.com, the Atlanta organization has not clearly stated how many more rehab games the two players will participate in, but it is highly likely that Kim will focus more on rehabilitation than Acuna Jr.

This is because more time is needed for Kim, who signed a one-year, 20 million dollar contract with Atlanta, to return as a player worthy of that value.

(Photo: CoolToday Park Instagram, Yonhap News)