Los Angeles Dodgers‘ star Shohei Ohtani underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on Tuesday to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, the team announced.
The surgery was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
Ohtani suffered the injury sliding into second base while trying to steal in Game 2 of the World Series. The team initially described the injury as a subluxation — or partial dislocation — of the left shoulder.
The Dodgers said that Ohtani is expected to be ready for spring training.
The 30-year-old, who spent the 2024 season as a designated hitter while recovering from elbow surgery last off-season, is the odds-on favourite to win the National League MVP after hitting 54 home runs and stealing 59 bases in 159 games with the Dodgers.
In his first year with the Dodgers, Ohtani helped Los Angeles claim the eighth World Series title in franchise history, playing the last three games of the series with the injured shoulder.
Over 16 post-season contests, the already two-time MVP slashed .230/.373/.393 with three home runs and 10 RBIs.
After suffering the injury, however, Ohtani went 1-for-11 with a walk and a run scored.
Ohtani signed a record 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers last December.
It remains to be seen if the surgery will affect Ohtani’s planned return as a pitcher in 2025. The right-hander had surgery on his throwing elbow last off-season, which kept him off the mound in 2024.
The Dodgers open spring training in early February, a few days before most other teams, because they are scheduled to play in the Tokyo Series against the Chicago Cubs on March 18 and 19.
— With files from The Associated Press
