In a major blow to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani has undergone surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. The news comes just one week after the Dodgers clinched their eighth World Series championship with a victory over the New York Yankees.
The injury occurred during Game 2 of the World Series, when Ohtani sustained a shoulder dislocation while sliding to steal a base. Despite persevering through the pain for the rest of the series, Ohtani’s production evidently suffered, as he managed just one hit in 14 plate appearances over the final three games.
On Tuesday, the Dodgers announced that Ohtani had undergone successful arthroscopic surgery to address the shoulder issue. According to the team, they expect the 30-year-old superstar to be ready for the start of spring training in February 2025.
“Anytime you have a player of Shohei’s caliber go down with an injury, it’s certainly a concern,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. But we’re glad the surgery went well, and we’re sure he’ll be ready for the season.”
This marks the second major surgery Ohtani has undergone in the past 14 months. In September 2023, the two-way star had a procedure to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow, an injury that kept him off the mound for the entirety of the 2024 season.
Despite the setbacks, Ohtani delivered a historic performance at the plate in 2024, becoming the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season. His remarkable 310/.390/.646 slash line, 54 home runs, 130 RBIs, and 59 stolen bases made him a virtual lock to win the National League MVP award.
“Shohei is the kind of player that comes along once in a generation,” said Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. “We’re committed to doing everything we can to ensure he’s healthy and able to perform at the highest level for years to come.”
The Dodgers had been hopeful that Ohtani would be able to resume his two-way role in 2025, with the plan being for him to start throwing bullpen sessions earlier than usual this offseason. However, this latest surgery on his non-throwing shoulder may impact that timeline.
“We’ll have to see how his recovery progresses, but our main focus is on getting Shohei back to 100% and ready to contribute as both a hitter and a pitcher,” Friedman said.
In 2020, the Dodgers experienced a similar situation when outfielder Cody Bellinger suffered a shoulder injury during the team’s World Series celebration. Bellinger underwent labrum surgery that November and was able to return for Opening Day the following season, though his offensive production declined in the years that followed.
Ohtani’s injury, which occurred on his back (non-throwing) shoulder, is considered less of a concern for his performance at the plate. However, the team will undoubtedly monitor his progress closely throughout his rehabilitation.
As the Dodgers look ahead to the 2025 season, the health of their superstar will be paramount. Ohtani’s unique abilities as both a dominant pitcher and a power-hit slugger have made him one of the most captivating players in the game today. Roberts stated, “She is the core of this team.” “We’re going to do everything we can to support him through this recovery process and get him back on the field as soon as possible.”
With the Dodgers set to open spring training in early February, the team and its fans will eagerly await updates on Ohtani’s progress. In the meantime, the focus remains on celebrating the team’s latest World Series triumph while also looking ahead to the possibility of a healthy Ohtani leading the charge for a repeat championship in 2025.