Padres News: Ha-Seong Kim injury update, San Diego Wild Card scenarios

The San Diego Padres closed out the regular season yesterday with a loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. But after having clinched a spot in the MLB Playoffs earlier the week, Sunday's results had no effect on the Padres' seeding for the postseason. In fact, the D-backs win may have actually helped San Diego ahead of the upcoming NL Wild Card Series.

The Diamondbacks' playoff fate isn't yet known. Why? Because the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets have some things to sort out on Monday. The Braves and Mets play a doubleheader at Truist Park today, and a number of different scenarios will dictate who the Padres play during the NL Wild Card Series.

But before we delve into the postseason scenarios, there is a bit of sad news that emerged from the Padres' clubhouse over the weekend.

Padres News: Ha-Seong Kim's injury will force him to miss the MLB Playoffs

Unfortunately, Ha-Seong Kim's 2024 season is over. The Padres shortstop suffered a shoulder injury in mid-August and has been working tirelessly over the past few weeks to get back onto the field. But Kim recently announced that he'll now undergo season-ending surgery to repair a tear in the labrum of his right shoulder.

This is a brutal ending to Kim's 2024 campaign, and may well be the end for his tenure in San Diego. Kim has a $7 million mutual-option for next season, and despite his season-ending injury, it's quite likely that the 28-year-old could earn a great deal more on the open market. The Padres would love to have Kim back in San Diego next season, but his future with the Friars is a bit muddled at this time.

Padres News: Braves-Mets doubleheader will dictate who visits Petco Park for NL Wild Card Series

Okay, let's see if we can figure this out, shall we? No matter what, the Padres will host one of two teams beginning Tuesday. Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series is set to start at 5:38 p.m. PT. But who will San Diego's opponent be?

The one thing we know is that it won't be the D-backs. If Arizona makes it back to the playoffs, they'll be the No. 6 seed in the National League and will head to Milwaukee to play the NL Central champion Brewers on Tuesday. But the fallout from Monday's doubleheader in Atlanta will dictate who comes to Petco Park.

The Braves and Mets will play two games on Monday after their weekday series was rained out. The D-backs have 89 wins on the season, while both the Braves and Mets are stuck at 88. But both NL East squads hold the tiebreaker over the Diamondbacks. So, if all three teams end the season with the same record, the D-backs are eliminated. Are you confused yet?

Whoever wins Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader will punch their ticket to the playoffs. If that same team wins Game 2 of the doubleheader, they're a lock to play the Padres in NL Wild Card Series. If the two teams split the doubleheader, the D-backs are eliminated, and the Braves (by virtue of the tiebreaker) will play the Padres in the NL Wild Card. If the Mets win both games against the Braves on Monday, they'll be headed to San Diego to play the Friars. Clear as mud, right?

One way or another, MLB Postseason schedule will be set by the time the Braves and Mets wrap up Game 2 of Monday's doubleheader, and San Diego will play one of those two teams on Tuesday. Either way, the opposing team will have likely exhausted their pitching staff and be catching the red-eye to America's Finest City. This couldn't have worked out much better for the Padres.

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