Scans show 'structural damage' in Lee Jung-hoo's left shoulder

Baseball

Published: 15 May. 2024, 10:41 Updated: 15 May. 2024, 16:32

Scans show 'structural damage' in Lee Jung-hoo's left shoulder

San Francisco Giants center fielder Lee Jung-hoo, second from left, is helped off the field following an injury during the first inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday at Oracle Park in San Francisco, California. [AP/YONHAP]

Imaging scans revealed “structural damage” in Lee Jung-hoo’s left shoulder, the San Francisco Giants said Tuesday, a diagnosis that could mean an extended spell out of the game.

The 25-year-old center fielder was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday for left shoulder dislocation after slamming into the fence while attempting to make a catch at the top of the first inning during the Giants’ 6-5 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday at Oracle Park in San Francisco.

Lee, who has batted an average of .262 with two home runs and eight RBIs over 37 games, has been a key player for the Giants so far this season, picking up an 11-game hitting streak in April.

Lee joined the club on a $113-million six-year contract from the KBO’s Kiwoom Heroes where he batted an average .340 over 884 games with 65 home runs and 515 RBIs.

He’s since become the starting center fielder for the Giants and has the second-highest batting average on the team, behind left fielder Michael Conforto — who is also out with an injury.

The club will seek a second opinion for Lee on Thursday from Dr. Neal ElAttrache, a surgeon and the head team physician for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams.

It remains unclear whether Lee will require surgery.

The Giants are set to hold a press conference Friday to share updates on Lee’s injury, according to local media outlet Bay Area News Group.

The Giants are hosting the Dodgers at Oracle Park. The Giants lost the first game on Monday 6-4 and were set to play the second game of the three-day series on Tuesday evening in San Francisco time as of press time.

Lee appeared upbeat ahead of Tuesday’s game, according to Bay Area News Group, about an hour before the team announced the imaging scan’s “structural damage” assessment.

BY MARY YANG [mary.yang@joongang.co.kr]