SAN FRANCISCO — From the looks of it Tuesday afternoon, Jung Hoo Lee didn't seem like a person facing season-ending surgery.
The 25-year-old Giants center fielder beamed as he walked through the house clubhouse before the second game of their series against the Dodgers. As he joked with a few of his teammates, his dislocated left shoulder hung from a gray T-shirt with the team's logo and was not wearing a support sling.
Lee's upbeat demeanor struck a unique tone than the official update the club released about an hour later, which confirmed he had suffered structural damage to his shoulder when he hit the centerfield wall in the primary inning of Sunday's win over the Reds bounced.
Whether or not Lee needs surgery can be determined at a gathering with Dr. Neal ElAttrache selected Thursday in Los Angeles, although consultations with the renowned orthopedist often end on the operating table.
“I would like to have more information for you, but I don’t,” manager Bob Melvin said. “We get a second opinion to make sure we have all our T’s dotted, I’s dotted, things like that.”
The Giants will announce next steps resulting from Lee's visit with Dr. ElAttrache can be determined on Friday. He may even answer questions from reporters and speak publicly for the primary time because the injury.
The only clues there have been for now were his body language. Melvin identified that his resting midfielder gave the impression to be in good spirits despite the difficult situation, replying: “He's trying.
“He's not happy about it. He wants to be out there with his new team, a fan base that embraces him. He loves playing here. So it’s hard for him.”
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