After a season full of ailments, Matt Kemp will now have to deal with a shoulder injury throughout the MLB offseason.
The Los Angeles Dodgers Twitter account reported that the outfielder will undergo surgery on his left shoulder:
Matt Kemp will undergo a left shoulder clean up on his A-C joint today. Matt Kemp is expected to be ready for spring training. #Dodgers
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 8, 2013
Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times provided a few more details:
#Dodgers: Matt Kemp will have left shoulder surgery today, for a "clean up on his A-C joint." He's still on crutches as ankle heals, too.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) October 8, 2013
Kemp only played in 73 games this season while dealing with various ailments throughout the year. After briefly returning to the lineup in September, it was announced he would be out for the playoffs with an ankle injury.
The latest shoulder issue raises more concerns about the 29-year-old player's future with the Dodgers. While he is expected to be ready for Opening Day 2014, his past history provides reason for doubt.
After putting together an MVP-caliber season in 2011 where he posted 39 home runs, 40 stolen bases and a .324 batting average, Kemp has missed a total of 145 games over the past two years.
When he was in the lineup this season, he was not very productive with only six home runs and a .270 batting average.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers have done just fine without him, winning the National League West and defeating the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series to move on to the NLCS.
Kemp will likely remain in Los Angeles for a long time after signing an eight-year, $160 million contract extension after the 2011 season. However, the Dodgers will sooner or later like to see a full return on their investment.
The team and its fans will certainly hope that an offseason to rehab his various injuries will allow him to get healthy and once again become one of the most complete players in baseball.
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