Matt Kemp might have to undergo a shoulder operation this off-season, trainer Sue Falsone said Wednesday.
“We’re talking,” Falsone said. “We’ll make some decisions in the next 36 hours.”
Falsone also delivered some positive news, saying Clayton Kershaw’s right hip won’t require surgery.
Kershaw will start the Dodgers’ regular-season finale on Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants.
“If we had any worries, he wouldn’t be out there,” Falsone said. “He should have a regular off-season.”
Kemp’s fate won’t be decided until he completes an exit physical examination. He has a torn labrum in his left shoulder.
Falsone said there are three possible courses of treatment for Kemp’s shoulder.
He could take a conservative approach, continue to receive treatment and hope the inflammation subsides.
He could have a minor clean-up procedure, which would prevent him throwing a baseball for six to eight weeks even though the injury is not to his throwing shoulder. Such a procedure would have a minimal impact on Kemp’s off-season.
Or he could have his labrum repaired, which would sideline him for four months.
“If that’s the case, you’re looking closer to four months before he’s ready to return,” Falsone said.
But Kemp would still be ready for spring training, according to Falsone.
“He wouldn’t be far behind,” Falsone said. “He would have a fairly normal spring training.”
-Dylan Hernandez
