Ohtani May Have to Undergo Surgery and Rehab Alone... 'MLB Lockout a Key Factor'

MLB Labor and Management Clash Over Salary Cap in Collective Bargaining Agreement
Lockout Could Delay Opening Day, Giving Ohtani More Time to Recover

Superstar Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers may have to undergo surgery and rehabilitation on his own.

On October 17, Korea time, the Associated Press (AP) reported, "After the Dodgers were eliminated in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) against the Milwaukee Brewers the previous day, Ohtani mentioned the possibility of surgery," adding, "If Ohtani does undergo surgery, whether Major League Baseball (MLB) enters a lockout will have a major impact on his rehabilitation."

Ohtani Shohei of the Dodgers heads into the dugout during Game 2 of the NLCS against Milwaukee. Milwaukee=AP-Yonhap News

MLB clubs and the players' union are currently at loggerheads over whether to introduce a salary cap as they approach the expiration of their new collective bargaining agreement. While team owners are pushing for a salary cap, the players' union is strongly opposed. With the two sides unable to narrow their differences, a lockout is likely to begin on December 2 if they fail to reach an agreement by December 1, when the current collective bargaining agreement expires.

AP explained, "During a lockout, clubs cannot contact players, so Ohtani would have to undergo surgery and rehabilitation on his own, without help from his team." However, some expect the lockout could actually help Ohtani recover from his injuries. If the labor dispute drags on and next season's start is delayed, Ohtani would have additional time to get back into shape.

Ohtani struggled to perform at his best in the second half of this season as he dealt with injuries to his left knee and right biceps. He has not pitched since the game against the San Diego Padres on July 4, and appeared only as a batter in eight postseason games, batting .192 with one home run and three RBIs. The Dodgers' offense struggled badly, and the team was eliminated from the NLCS after four straight losses.

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