ANAHEIM, Calif. — Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani had successful elbow surgery on Tuesday, “I had a procedure done on my elbow earlier this morning and everything went very well,” Ohtani said in a post on Instagram.
The procedure took place at the Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles and the procedure was done by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the head team physician of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Neither Ohtani nor the team provided specifics on this recent surgery, but it’s worth noting that ElAttrache previously performed Tommy John surgery on Ohtani in 2018.
Ohtani’s agent, Nez Balelo, issued a statement released by the Angels but did not delve into specifics regarding the type of surgery. Balelo emphasized, “Shohei wanted to make sure the direction taken gave him every opportunity to hit and pitch for many years to come.”
Ohtani tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow on Aug. 23, ending his pitching season. He continued as a batter through Sept. 3 until a right oblique strain sidelined him for 11 games before the Angels placed Ohtani on the 15-day IL and ended his season entirely.
“I expect full recovery and he’ll be ready to hit without any restrictions come opening day of 2024 and do both (hit and pitch) come 2025” said ElAttrache in the same statement released by the Angels.
Despite the setback, the 29-year-old Ohtani has been having a remarkable season, leading the AL with 44 homer runs along with 96 RBIs, eight triples, and 20 stolen bases. On the mound, Ohtani owned a 10-5 record, with a 3.14 ERA in 23 starts, striking out 167 batters and walking 55 in 132 innings.
It was very unfortunate that I couldn’t finish out the year on the field, but I will be rooting on the boys until the end.
Shohei Ohtani, via his instagram
Dr. ElAttrache clarified the surgery’s purpose, , “The ultimate plan after deliberation with Shohei was to repair the issue at hand and to reinforce the healthy ligament in place while adding viable tissue for the longevity of the elbow.”
ElAttrache added Ohtani is on track for a full recovery and should not have restrictions as a DH next season, with a return to the mound as a pitcher expected in 2025.
Here’s the entire statement from Ohtani’s instagram:
“I had a procedure done on my elbow earlier this morning and everything went very well. Thank you very much for everyone’s prayers and kind words.
It was very unfortunate that I couldn’t finish out the year on the field, but I will be rooting on the boys until the end.
I will work as hard as I can and do my best to come back on the diamond stronger than ever.
Go Halos!!”
