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Giants' Jung Hoo Lee to Undergo Season-Ending Surgery on Shoulder Injury

zach bacharContributor IMay 17, 2024

DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 08: Jung Hoo Lee #51 of the San Francisco Giants bats against the Colorado Rockies in the third inning at Coors Field on May 07, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee will miss the remainder of his first MLB season after undergoing surgery to repair his labrum, according to Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic.

Lee suffered a dislocated left shoulder during the Giants' victory over the Cincinnati Reds on May 12. After signing a six-year deal worth $113 million with San Francisco as an international free agent in December 2023, the 25-year-old's inaugural season will come to an end after 37 games.

Lee sustained the injury following a hard collision with the centerfield wall as he attempted to make a leaping grab in the first inning. He struggled to stay healthy prior to his shoulder issue, as he missed three games from May 9 through May 11 after fouling a ball into his foot against the Colorado Rockies.

After batting over .300 during every season in his KBO career, Lee's hitting prowess carried over to San Francisco despite a lack of power at the plate. In 37 games, he hit .262 with a .641 OPS. He recorded two home runs, eight RBIs, and two stolen bases.

Lee appeared to grow more comfortable as the season continued, as he racked up a mere eight hits in his first 45 plate appearances. Following that stretch, he hit .283 over his next 26 games before suffering the shoulder injury.

Luis Matos has moved over to centerfield following Lee's injury, and should continue to remain in the lineup moving forward. Matos has gotten off to a commendable start as a replacement, hitting .250 with one home run and six RBIs in five games.

The Giants will be hoping that the 22-year-old can stay hot and help the team potentially challenge for a postseason berth, as San Francisco sits at No. 4 in the NL West with a 20-25 record entering Friday's action.