The Japanese superstar underwent surgery to repair his left shoulder which was partially dislocated during the second game of the Dodgers‘ World Series win over the New York Yankees.
The Major League Baseball team said in a statement that Shohei Ohtani underwent “successful arthroscopic surgery” in Los Angeles to repair the tear caused by the dislocation. “He is expected to be ready for Spring Training” the Dodgers said.
Ohtani was hurt while trying to steal second base in the seventh inning of the second game for the Dodgers (4-2). The Dodgers then won the best-of-seven series by four games to one, while Ohtani continued to play.
Ohtani had a relatively quiet World Series, failing to hit a home run, but said he was “honored” to have been part of a championship season.
The Japanese superstar signed for the Dodgers in December last year, after six unsuccessful seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, and participated in the post-season for the first time.
Although he did not pitch for the Dodgers in 2024, as he continued to recover from elbow surgery, he became the first player in major league history to record 50 home runs and 50 steals in the same campaign.
“What Shohei has done for our club, for the Dodgers fan base nationally and globally, I don’t think can be quantified.“Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the series-clinching win.
“He played with one arm in the postseason. So most guys probably would have dropped out, but he wouldn’t deny himself the chance to play and play and be in the lineup“.
