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Song Sung-moon celebrates with Ahn Hyun-min after hitting a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning during an exhibition game between South Korea and Japan at the Tokyo Dome on the 15th, part of the 2025 K-Baseball Series. (Photo by Yonhap News) |
[Alpha Biz= Park Byungsung] Concerns are mounting over the Major League future of Song Sung-moon, who is set to join the San Diego Padres, as his rehabilitation period is expected to be significantly longer than initially anticipated.
According to multiple sources cited by Alpha Economy on the 21st, Song’s recovery from a torn oblique muscle is now projected to take at least 12 weeks, rather than the four weeks previously reported. The prolonged rehabilitation has cast uncertainty over the timing of his Major League debut.
A source familiar with the situation told Alpha Economy, “While Song himself remains confident about returning within four weeks, the injury is far more serious and will realistically require more than 12 weeks of recovery. Under these circumstances, participation in spring training is virtually impossible.”
If the rehabilitation extends beyond three months, Song is unlikely to appear in any San Diego Padres games during the first half of the season.
Adding to the challenge, Song does not hold the right to refuse assignment to the minor leagues, increasing the likelihood that he would begin his professional career in the Padres organization at the minor-league level even after completing his recovery.
Song previously signed a four-year contract worth a total of $15 million (approximately KRW 221.6 billion) with the San Diego Padres.
Alphabiz 박병성 기자(star@alphabiz.co.kr)
