During Game 2 of the World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers saw their $700 million investment lying on the dirt writhing in pain after an awkward slide.
It took just a few hours for Shohei Ohtani to be diagnosed with a dislocated shoulder and a torn labrum.
He continued to play in the World Series in one of the more gutsy performances of the 2024 calendar year.
The Dodgers announced that Ohtani has taken the first step to being fully healthy again in 2025.
“Shohei Ohtani today underwent successful arthroscopic surgery, performed in Los Angeles by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, to repair a labrum tear that resulted from a left shoulder dislocation on Oct. 26.
He is expected to be ready for spring training,” The Dodgers announced on Tuesday night.
Ohtani suffered a tear of his UCL late in the 2023 season.
The two-way superstar underwent Tommy John surgery and returned to hit in 2024 but was unable to pitch.
Still, soon after Ohtani underwent that elbow surgery, the Dodgers would commit $700 million to sign him in free agency.
Now, a year later, Ohtani is under the knife again. He’s expected to make a full recovery, returning to the field and the mound by the beginning of the 2025 season.
The only issue that could arise here is Ohtani’s ability to continue his right elbow recovery and rehab while he’s sidelined with the left shoulder injury.
He may spend weeks completely sidelined, unable to throw bullpens, while he recovers from labrum surgery.
