In news that was nothing but expected, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced catcher Yasmani Grandal will undergo arthroscopic surgery on Wednesday on his left shoulder AC joint. Additionally, Justin Turner is set for arthroscopic surgery on Thursday on his left knee to clean up loose bodies.
Dodgers team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache is performing both surgeries, and the club said Grandal and Turner are expected to recover in time for Spring Training.
Grandal’s left-shoulder trouble began in August and lingered for the remainder of the season. He was diagnosed with shoulder inflammation in September, and adjusted his batting stance as a means to alleviate some of the pain.
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly called Grandal ’50-50′ heading into Game 5 of the National League Division Series. The catcher wound up starting, going 0-for-2 with two strikeouts and one walk before getting replaced by A.J. Ellis in the top of the ninth inning.
Grandal, starting three games in the NLDS, finished the series 1-for-10 with two RBIs, one walk and six strikeouts. The injury had a significant impact on his regular-season stats, as he hit .282/.401/.526 with a .399 wOBA, 159 wRC+, and 14 home runs and 46 RBIs during the first half.
However, after the All-Star break Grandal hit .162/.280/.218 with two home runs, 11 RBIs, and his wOBA and wRC+ drop to .237 and 49, respectively. The 26 year old nonetheless finished the season
Turner’s left knee became an issue after he fouled a ball off it back in June. The Dodgers handled their starting third baseman with care, providing ample days off throughout the season.
Turner went through a bit of a lull during August, though still finished the season batting .294/.370/.491 with 16 home runs, 60 RBIs, a .371 wOBA and 141 wRC+. He was particularly effective during the NLDS against his former club.
Starting in all five games, Turner went 10-for-19 with six doubles, four RBIs, two runs scored, and one walk. His 10 hits in the series were the most ever for a Dodgers player in a Division Series and the most by a Dodger in any postseason series since Steve Garvey’s 10 hits in the 1981 World Series.
Moreover, Turner’s six doubles set a Dodgers record for most in any postseason series.
