Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani undergoes shoulder surgery, to be ready for spring training
A week after winning his first World Series, the Japanese superstar has arthroscopic surgery on the left shoulder he dislocated. The team said Ohtani will be ready for spring training in 2025.
Baseball Softball
Shohei Ohtani had successful surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder he suffered during the 2024 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Tuesday (5 November).
The Dodgers said Ohtani - who won his first MLB World Series title in his first Fall Classic apperance - is expected to be ready for spring training. The World Series champions are opening the 2025 baseball season in Tokyo against the Chicago Cubs on 18-19 March.
On 26 October, Ohtani partially dislocated his non-throwing shoulder in Game 2 of the World Series against the New York Yankees while trying to steal second. He was immediately taken out of the game but was back in the lineup for Game 3, manager Dave Roberts saying his Japanese superstar would not be “compromised.”
But Ohtani clearly was compromised, not generating his usual swing and often wincing for the remainder of the series, in which he went a paltry 2-for-19 without a home run or an RBI. The Dodgers went on to beat the Yankees in five games.
Ohtani is set to be named the National League MVP after becoming the first player in history to hit 50 homers and steal 50 bases in a single season. The 30-year-old would be the first-ever to win the MVP as a full-time designated hitter, as well as only the second to receive the honour in both leagues.
Prior to surgery, Ohtani was on course to return to the pitching mound next season and resume his two-way role.