San Francisco Giants center fielder Jung Hoo Lee will undergo surgery on his injured left shoulder, cutting his rookie Major League Baseball season short. He dislocated his shoulder when he collided with the outfield fence during their May 12 game against the Cincinnati Reds.
Lee tried to field Jeimer Candelario's hit. However, crashing into the wall gave Candelario a three-run double.
The Giants explored the option of Lee undergoing rehab on his injured shoulder, allowing him to return before the regular season ends. But with the Giants investing a six-year, $113 million contract on him, they opted to shut him down for the 2024 Major League Baseball season.
The San Francisco Giants announced that Jung Hoo Lee will miss the remainder of the season and will undergo labrum surgery after suffering the injury on this play.
— Sports Injury Central (@SICscore) May 18, 2024
https://t.co/c3pcMWQ3Vv pic.twitter.com/cvyLH6IaXh
Lee will undergo labrum repair surgery with famed surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache. After which, the rehabilitation could last for up to six months, making him fresh by next year's spring training.
It will be the second time Lee will undergo this surgery, the first occurring in 2018 when he was still playing in South Korea. During that incident, he dislocated his shoulder when he slid into a base but opted for rehab. However, he had no choice but to undergo surgery after reinjuring the shoulder.
Lee is hitting .262/.310/.331 with two home runs and eight RBIs in 145 at-bats. However, his fielding is where he's making a difference, registering 79 putouts and an assist in 80 chances.
With Lee sidelined, Luis Matos will likely take over at center field for the Giants.
-Lance Fernandez