Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani undergoes surgery as World Series shoulder injury revealed to be more serious

Shohei Ohtani’s shoulder issue during the World Series was a bit more serious than the Dodgers let on.

The Dodgers superstar underwent shoulder surgery Tuesday to repair a labrum tear he suffered when he slid attempting to steal second base in Game 2 of the World Series. 

Los Angeles said that it expects Ohtani to be ready for spring training. 

The Dodgers said that Ohtani suffered a subluxation of his left shoulder, though he continued to play in each of the next three games until LA clinched the World Series title in a 7-6 Game 5 win over the Yankees.

Ohtani did show noticeable signs of discomfort over the next three games while he was at the plate and had just one hit over his next 11 at-bats. 

This now marks the second consecutive offseason in which Ohatni had to undergo a procedure after having to have an internal brace put in to fix a torn UCL in his pitching arm and spent this season rehabbing from the procedure. 

Ohtani did not pitch this year, but continued to hit as the Dodgers captured their second championship since 2020. 

The new procedure was done on his non-throwing shoulder and was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles, though it’s unclear if it will have any impact on his return to the mound for next season. 

Ohtani had been throwing regular bullpen sessions at the time he suffered the injury. 

Despite the more serious nature of the injury, Ohtani was all smiles inside the Dodgers clubhouse after they defeated the Yanks in Game 5.

“I’m honored to be able to be part of a season where we played the longest, and to be able to get to know this team,” he said after the clinching win. “My first year and experience winning a World Series has been a tremendous honor.”