The San Diego Padres received an early dose of caution surrounding one of their newest international additions, as infielder Sung Mun Song has been diagnosed with an oblique injury that is expected to sideline him for approximately a month.
According to reporting from Jeeho Yoo of the Yonhap News Agency, Song suffered the injury during a routine batting practice session, a frustrating setback as he begins preparations for his first Major League season.
At face value, the projected four-week recovery timeline lines up fairly cleanly with the Padres’ spring training schedule. San Diego’s camp is set to open around the same time Song would be cleared to resume full baseball activities, meaning there is still a realistic scenario in which he arrives at camp without missing official workouts or exhibition games.
However, injuries involving the oblique muscles are among the most unpredictable in baseball, particularly for hitters, and timelines often prove optimistic rather than definitive.
Even if Song is medically cleared within that four-week window, he will have lost valuable offseason preparation time. For a player transitioning not only to a new league, but also to a new country, culture, and level of competition, those lost reps could carry real consequences.
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The Padres will likely take a cautious approach, and if Song’s recovery stalls or his conditioning lags behind expectations, the club could elect to place him on the 10-day injured list to open the season, allowing him additional time to ramp up without risking further injury.
A Delicate Injury at an Inopportune Moment
Oblique injuries are particularly troublesome because they affect nearly every movement a hitter makes, from rotational torque during swings to lateral movement in the field.
Even minor discomfort can sap power or alter mechanics, which in turn raises the risk of compensatory injuries elsewhere. For a player like Song, whose offensive game relies heavily on bat speed and rotational strength, ensuring full recovery will be essential.
The timing is especially unfortunate because Song is preparing for his first exposure to Major League pitching and training environments. Spring training is often a period of adjustment for international signees, who must acclimate to different routines, coaching styles, and competitive expectations.
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Missing even a portion of that window could slow the learning curve, though the Padres are known for investing heavily in player support and development infrastructure.
World Baseball Classic Questions Loom
Beyond his status with San Diego, Song’s injury also raises questions about his availability for the World Baseball Classic, which is scheduled to take place in March. Yoo noted that it remains unclear whether Song planned to participate for South Korea’s national team or whether he intended to bypass the tournament altogether in order to focus on his inaugural MLB season.
Adding to the uncertainty is the fact that Song did not attend South Korea’s preliminary WBC training camp, which opened on January 9. That absence suggests he may not have been included in the team’s immediate plans, even prior to sustaining the injury. While national teams often finalize rosters closer to the tournament, missing early camps can sometimes be an indicator that a player’s role—if any—is still up in the air.
Given Song’s transition to Major League Baseball and the physical demands of adapting to a new league, skipping the WBC would not be surprising. Many players in similar situations opt to prioritize health and readiness for their MLB debut over international competition, particularly when long-term contracts and organizational expectations are involved.
Late Bloomer on the International Stage
Song’s omission from South Korea’s radar during the 2023 World Baseball Classic was not unexpected at the time. While he had been a steady contributor in the KBO League, he had not yet posted the kind of eye-catching numbers that typically draw international attention. That changed dramatically beginning in the 2024 season.
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Playing for the Kiwoom Heroes, Song enjoyed a breakout year that vaulted him into the spotlight. Over 602 plate appearances in 2024, he slashed an impressive .340/.409/.518 while launching 19 home runs. His combination of contact ability, plate discipline, and emerging power made him one of the most productive infielders in the league.
Rather than regressing, Song built on that success in 2025. In 646 plate appearances, he posted a .315/.387/.530 slash line and increased his home run total to 26. The back-to-back strong seasons not only solidified his status as a star in the KBO, but also convinced scouts and executives from Major League organizations that his skill set could translate overseas.
From KBO Star to MLB Opportunity
Those performances ultimately led Kiwoom to make the decision to post Song, opening the door for Major League teams to negotiate with him. Interest quickly emerged, and the Padres moved aggressively to secure his services.
In December, San Diego finalized a four-year deal with Song that includes $15 million in guaranteed money, a player opt-out clause before the 2029 season, and a club option for 2030.
For the Padres, the signing represented both a calculated risk and a potential bargain. Song will be 29 years old during the season, meaning he is older than many international free agents, but his late-career surge suggests he may still have untapped upside.
The contract structure provides flexibility for both sides, allowing Song to re-enter the market if he thrives, while giving the club additional control should he prove to be a reliable contributor.
Defensive Versatility Creates Opportunity
While Song’s primary defensive home is third base, that position is already occupied in San Diego by franchise cornerstone Manny Machado. Fortunately for both the player and the organization, Song’s defensive versatility significantly expands his path to playing time.
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In addition to third base, Song has experience at both first and second base, and the Padres have even floated the idea of experimenting with him in the outfield. That flexibility aligns well with San Diego’s roster construction philosophy, which values players capable of filling multiple roles and adapting to matchup-based lineups.
If healthy, Song could see time all over the infield, spelling regulars, serving as a right-handed bat off the bench, or even carving out a semi-regular role depending on performance. His ability to handle multiple positions could prove especially valuable over the course of a long season marked by injuries and rest days.
Adjusting to Major League Pitching
Perhaps the biggest question surrounding Song’s transition is how his offensive production will translate against MLB pitching. While the KBO is a highly competitive league, the overall velocity, pitch movement, and depth of scouting in Major League Baseball represent a substantial step up.
Song’s success in Korea was built on a disciplined approach, strong contact skills, and improving power, traits that often give hitters a fighting chance when making the jump. Still, the adjustment period can be steep, particularly when compounded by lost preparation time due to injury.
That is why the oblique issue is viewed internally as an unwelcome but manageable obstacle rather than a crisis. The Padres are expected to emphasize patience, ensuring Song is physically ready and mentally comfortable before pushing him into high-leverage situations.
A Minor Setback, Not a Defining Moment
While the injury is undeniably frustrating, especially so early in Song’s Padres tenure, it does not fundamentally alter the organization’s outlook on him. If anything, it underscores the importance of a measured approach during his transition year. With careful handling, the oblique strain should be a temporary setback rather than a lingering concern.
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The coming weeks will be critical in determining how quickly Song can return to full baseball activities and whether he will be ready for Opening Day. Regardless of whether he breaks camp with the club or begins the season on the injured list, the Padres remain intrigued by his potential impact.
For now, the focus is on recovery, conditioning, and gradual reintegration into baseball activities. Song’s journey from KBO standout to Major League contributor was never going to be linear, and this early challenge serves as the first test of his resilience at the sport’s highest level.
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