Dodgers’ Brandon League opts for weeks of rehabilitation over surgery

Dodgers reliever Brandon League said he was “devastated” when told his shoulder problems would sideline him for at least the first two months of the regular season.

“I feel like crap,” League said. “Worked three months, four months, in the off-season to avoid this stuff. And the fact that you get this news and the fact that I felt the best I’ve felt ever in spring training, it’s kind of devastating. I’m past that point now. I had my time to sulk in the hour flight. Got my goal in mind and I’m pretty good at reaching them.”

The results of League’s recent MRI examination were reviewed on Friday by Drs. Neal ElAttrache and James Andrews.

League said he was now on an eight-week rehabilitation program.

Surgery was a consideration.

League said he didn’t know how long an operation would have sidelined him, but said, “I know it’s more than eight weeks.”

The possibility of surgery could be revisited if League fails to complete his rehabilitation program.

“That’s my next option, I guess,” he said. “I can’t be like, ‘Let me start over again,’ because that would be like wasting everybody’s time .... It’s a decision we have to make when we get there.”

League said he didn’t want to undergo surgery without giving himself a proper chance to recover.

After receiving a cortisone injection earlier in camp, he said, “We were on a rushed program. We were shooting for opening day and it was something that I agreed with, that it was worth the risk to be on a hurried program.”

League said he expects to be placed on the 60-day disabled list.