After the Atlanta Braves received devastating news on Sunday that their $20 million infielder Ha-Seong Kim would be missing the next four-five months after undergoing hand surgery, the Braves announced on Monday that they are signing infielder Jorge Mateo to a one-year deal for the 2026 season to help with depth.
As for the Kim injury, he fell on ice while in Korea and tore a tendon in his right middle finger. The surgery was successful yesterday, but the recovery timeline is 4-5 months, which means he may not see the field for Atlanta until the All-Star break.
Francys Romero reports that Mateo will receive a $1MM guarantee for his 2026 services.
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Braves Sign Infielder Jorge Mateo
The Braves are bringing in J0rge Mateo to clear a vacant spot on the roster.
The expectation is that Mauricio Dubon will start the year as the everyday shortstop, and Mateo can be either a platoon option or a pinch runner if he breaks Spring Training with the big-league club.
He spent his 2025 season with the Baltimore Orioles and appeared in just 42 games. In those 42 games (79 at-bats), he hit .177 with 14 hits, 1 home run, and an OPS+ of 36.
GettyBALTIMORE, MD – MAY 31: Jorge Mateo #3 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates a two run home run in the fifth inning during a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 31, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Mateo isn’t a very valuable piece with the bat in his hand, but he’s been able to find himself on big league rosters due to his ability to run. He led the AL in steals back in 2022 (35), and had consecutive seasons swiping 30+ bases.
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Braves Infield Outlook
Heading into the 2026 season, the Braves’ infield looks solid on paper. The team knows what it will get from the right side of the infield with Matt Olson playing every day and Ozzie Albies at second base.
However, the left side is where things get a little dicey. Austin Riley has missed parts of the last two seasons with injury, and if he goes down for whatever reason, it throws a big wrench in the Braves’ infield plans because they lack depth at third and shortstop.
The Ha-Seong Kim injury, that forces utilityman Mauricio Dubon to take over full-time reps at short, which leaves the team rather thin on the infield.
Bringing in Jorge Mateo helps, but Atlanta would feel more comfortable if he didn’t have to take over either third base or shortstop for an extended period of time. He’s better off as purely a defensive substitution or pinch runner.
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