SAN ANTONIO (AP) The Los Angeles Dodgers are not counting on Shohei Ohtani to pitch early next season and will wait to see how his rehabilitation progresses following shoulder surgery on his non-pitching arm.
Ohtani underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, an injury sustained when he slipped during an attempted stolen base in Game 2 of the World Series on Oct. 26. elbow surgery on September 19, 2023.
“We’re going to take it step by step and get through it and then take it in one or two week increments and make sure we’re in a really good position on each of those criteria and then go from there and ‘We’re not trying to say, ‘Hey, we have to be ready by this day,'” general manager Brandon Gomes said Wednesday. “We’re going to let the rehab process play out.”
Ohtani and the Dodgers will begin next season in Tokyo, with a two-game series against the Chicago Cubs on March 18-19.
After signing a record $700 million, 10-year contract, Ohtani, 30, hit .310 with 54 homers, 130 RBIs and 59 stolen bases this year, becoming the first player with at least 50 homers and 50 stolen bases in a season.
“I think it’s prudent that he doesn’t steal 50 bases next year,” Gomes said. “I have a hunch. I don’t want to count him because I never bet against Shohei.
Gomes said left-hander Clayton Kershaw had surgery Wednesday, but he couldn’t go into detail because the three-time Cy Young Award winner was a free agent.
He also said Mookie Betts would likely return to the field next year and that the World Series champions would like to reach a new contract with manager Dave Roberts, whose current deal runs through next season.
Ohtani was operated on by the team’s head physician, Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
“The rehabilitation stages involve different low-intensity exercises and can simply consist of movement,” Gomes said. “Our coaches, performance coaches and doctors are all in tune with this and we will be with him every step of the way.”
Ohtani stopped his throwing program.
“He probably would have stopped throwing anyway in the offseason, but he has to get over it and then work his way back up,” Gomes said.
Los Angeles expects right-handers Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May and Tyler Glasnow to be ready for Opening Day. Yamamoto was sidelined due to right triceps tightness between June 15 and September 10, Glasnow did not pitch after August 11 due to right elbow tendinitis, Gonsolin spent all the year 2024 to recover from Tommy John surgery and May did not pitch this year. elbow and esophagus operations.
Betts started the season at shortstop, broke his left hand on June 16 when he was hit by a pitch, and moved to right field upon his return on August 12. His return to the infield is the result of an attempt to protect his body and the desire of the 32-year-old, eight-time All-Star.
“It’s not set in stone, but I think it’s just a result of the outfield and I think it’s really difficult for guys to bounce back and forth,” Gomes said. “We’ll have those deeper conversations soon and get some clarity on this.”
Moving Betts from right field would create intrigue as to whether Los Angeles could pursue Juan Soto, the top free agent on the market.
If Betts moves back to second base instead of shortstop, the Dodgers would have to find another position for Gavin Lux, who has made 117 starts at second base this year. Lux returned after missing the 2023 season with a torn ACL and was moved from shortstop after defensive struggles early in spring training.
“Gavin played a major role in our success,” Gomes said.
Roberts began as manager of the Dodgers for the 2016 season with a three-year contract that included a team option, agreed in December 2018 to a four-year contract, then in March 2022 his final contract, which runs until 2025. He has an 851 -506, leading the Dodgers to two World Series titles and four NL pennants.
“We want Dave to be here as long as we can see out and we’ve managed to do overtimes with him in the past,” Gomes said. “We expect at some point this offseason to be about that.”
Kershaw said Friday he will have surgeries on his left big toe and knee. The 36-year-old only made his season debut on July 25 following shoulder surgery and was limited to seven starts, going 2-2 with a 4 ERA, 50. He did not pitch after August 30 due to a toe injury.
Kershaw declined a $10 million player option Monday that would have earned him $15 million in performance bonuses.
“He is a big priority for us,” Gomes said.
Dodgers officials didn’t arrive at general managers’ meetings until 11 a.m. Tuesday because of flight delays. Their flight was canceled on Sunday and then delayed on Monday, when they had a stopover in Houston. Their connecting flight was also delayed.
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