Shohei Ohtani undergoes successful shoulder surgery, Dodgers say

LOS ANGELES, USA – Shohei Ohtani underwent successful surgery on Tuesday, November 5, on the left shoulder he injured during Game 2 of the World Series and will be ready for spring training, the Dodgers said.

The Japanese pitcher-hitter dislocated his shoulder while attempting to steal second base in the seventh inning and needed help leaving the field but returned to play the rest of the series, which the Dodgers won, 4-1 ,over the New York Yankees.

“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,” the team said in a statement.

“He is expected to be ready for Spring Training.”

Ohtani, who bats left but throws right, did not pitch this season as he recovered from right elbow surgery in the previous offseason, which was also performed by Dr. ElAttrache.

The 30-year-old still had a season for the ages at the plate on the basepaths, becoming the first player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season, making him the inaugural member of Major League Baseball’s ‘50/50 club.’

Ohtani signed a record 10-year, $700-million contract with the Dodgers, where he won his first title and helped set MLB viewership records in Japan.

Ohtani is poised to win his third MVP trophy in four seasons later this month and is expected to pitch again next year. – Rappler.com