Shohei Ohtani has undergone successful surgery on his dislocated shoulder after playing through injury in the Dodgers’ World Series win.
The Japanese superstar dislocated his shoulder during Game 2 of the Dodgers’ 4-1 series win over the Yankees, but was coy about his condition when speaking to reporters in the days that followed.
The Dodgers have now confirmed that Ohtani underwent surgery on Tuesday, releasing a statement to their 3million followers on X.
The surgery was done by Dr ElAttrache, who has now operated on Ohtani three times, with the first two procedures being Tommy John surgery on his elbow.
The Dodgers’ statement read: ‘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 Oct. 26. He is expected to be ready for Spring Training.’
Shohei Ohtani grimaces after dislocating his shoulder during Game 2 of the World Series
The injury did not stop Ohtani’s celebrations in the bowels of Yankee Stadium last week
The injury occurred during Game 2 when Ohtani tried to steal second base, and although he managed to play on, he arrived for Game 3 at Yankee Stadium wearing a sling on his left arm.
He only took the sling off minutes before the game got underway in the Bronx, and although he did not have to miss any gametime, he was clearly grimacing throughout Games 3, 4 and 5.
Speaking to reporters after Game 3, he said: ‘I wasn’t really exactly sure [what happened]… I was concerned if I was safe or out.
‘It was only when I went back inside where we had to figure out what [the injury] was. The pain has subsided so I felt pretty good about it.’
Following the incident, a social media account that offers English-language reporting on Japanese baseball revealed the Dodgers star’s exchange with translators and trainers.
‘Shoulder,’ Ohtani said as he laid in the infield, as quoted on the Yakyu Cosmopolitan X account.
When he stepped up to the plate in Games 3, 4 and 5, Ohtani was often grimacing
Dr Neal ElAttrache, sport’s most famous surgeon, has now operated on Ohtani three times
‘Really?’ the translator asked. ‘Which one?’
‘Left,’ Ohtani said.
When asked if his armed popped out of his shoulder socket, Ohtani is quoted as saying: ‘I think so.’
The good news for fans hoping to see Ohtani pitch next season is that the injury occurred to his non-throwing arm. The two-way sensation has not pitched since his second Tommy John surgery in 2023, but has recently begun throwing off a mound.
Per the Dodgers’ tweet update, the 30-year-old is expected to be back in full health by the start of Spring Training.
