Ohtani Undergoes Shoulder Surgery, Set to Return for Spring Training

Shohei Ohtani has undergone shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum, an injury sustained during the World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Tuesday. The surgery, which was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles, is expected to have Ohtani ready for spring training.

Ohtani's injury occurred on October 26, during Game 2 of the World Series, when he attempted to steal second base. The Dodgers initially described the injury as a subluxation, or slight dislocation, of his left shoulder. Despite the pain, Ohtani continued to play in the subsequent games at Yankee Stadium, although he struggled at the plate, managing only one hit in 11 at-bats. The Dodgers clinched the championship while Ohtani played through the discomfort.

Before the injury, the Dodgers had hoped that Ohtani would be able to resume his throwing program earlier than usual this offseason, aiming to return to a two-way role in 2025. The impact of the surgery on that timeline is still unclear, though it was performed on Ohtani's non-throwing shoulder.

At the time of his injury, Ohtani was completing his regular bullpen sessions as part of his recovery from a previous major elbow surgery. This was the final phase of his rehab before the shoulder injury.

This marks the second consecutive year the Dodgers have had a player undergo shoulder surgery following the World Series. In 2020, Cody Bellinger suffered a similar labrum injury while celebrating the team's championship and underwent surgery in November. Bellinger returned to the lineup for Opening Day in 2021, though his offensive performance declined in the following seasons.

Unlike Bellinger, who injured his right shoulder, a key part of his hitting, Ohtani's injury is to his back shoulder, which is considered less impactful for his batting.