San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee will undergo season-ending surgery for a torn labrum in his left shoulder in the next couple of weeks, the team announced Friday.
Lee injured the shoulder when he crashed into the center-field wall in Sunday’s home game against the Cincinnati Reds. He was initially diagnosed with a dislocation, and an MRI later revealed structural damage in the shoulder. Lee received a second opinion Thursday from Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who confirmed the shoulder would require surgery.
Lee will have about six months of rehab and is expected to make a full recovery for the 2025 season, Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said.
“Mentally I could say that a month and a half playing here in the Major Leagues was the happiest moment in my baseball career,” Lee said through an interpreter. “And I’ll never forget the time here that I have spent this season.”
Lee was one of the big offseason additions for the Giants after starring for years playing professionally in his native South Korea. He signed a $113 million, six-year contract with San Francisco and has been the team’s starting center fielder this season.
Lee is batting .262 with two homers, eight RBIs and .641 OPS in 37 games as he adjusts to a new league, but has excelled in the field.
Luis Matos has moved over to center field in place of Lee.
