Yankees fans witnessed Shohei Ohtani’s struggles firsthand during the World Series, as he faced noticeable discomfort at Yankee Stadium.
After an attempted steal in Game 2, Ohtani sustained what the Dodgers initially called a left shoulder subluxation. He continued to play the next three games in New York, visibly wincing and managing just one hit in 11 at-bats while the Dodgers clinched the championship.
Dodgers announce Ohtani’s shoulder surgery and expected Return
On Tuesday, the Dodgers announced that Ohtani underwent shoulder surgery to repair a labrum tear, with the procedure handled by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles. The Dodgers expect him to be ready for spring training, though the injury timeline may affect his return as a two-way player.
Shohei Ohtani’s injury occurred amid bullpen sessions marking his final recovery steps from a second elbow surgery. Before this setback, the Dodgers hoped he could accelerate his throwing program for a 2025 return to two-way status. Although his shoulder surgery affects his non-throwing side, its impact on his hitting mechanics remains uncertain.
This isn’t the first time the Dodgers dealt with a labrum injury after a deep postseason run. Cody Bellinger faced a similar surgery after their 2020 World Series win, albeit on his leading shoulder, a situation that influenced his subsequent offensive performance. In contrast, Ohtani’s injury affects his back shoulder, typically less problematic in the batter’s box.
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