Shohei Ohtani recently underwent shoulder surgery to fix a labrum tear he suffered during the World Series. The surgery was successful, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are optimistic that he will be ready for spring training.
During Game 2 of the World Series on October 26, Ohtani experienced a slight dislocation of his left shoulder while attempting to steal second base. Despite the injury, he continued to play through noticeable pain in the following games at Yankee Stadium. His performance was affected, as he only managed to get one hit in 11 at-bats during that time.
Prior to the injury, the Dodgers were hopeful that Ohtani could resume his throwing program earlier than usual during the offseason in preparation for his return to a two-way role in the upcoming season. It remains uncertain how the surgery on his non-throwing shoulder will impact this timeline. The procedure was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time a Dodger player has undergone labrum surgery following a World Series win. In 2020, Cody Bellinger faced a similar injury after celebrating the victory. However, Bellinger injured his right shoulder, which is his leading shoulder when hitting, while Ohtani injured his non-throwing shoulder, which is considered less crucial for batting.
Despite the surgery, there is hope that Ohtani will make a full recovery and be back in action for the upcoming season. His dedication to the game and his team is evident in his willingness to push through the pain during the World Series games. The Dodgers and their fans are eagerly anticipating his return and are confident that he will come back stronger than ever.
