RICHMOND defender Jake Batchelor's season is over after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction.

Batchelor, who is among a number of Tigers out of contract at the end of this season, has been managing a troublesome left shoulder through the second half of the season.

The Tigers said the reconstructive surgery would sideline the 24-year-old for the next 16 weeks and have him ready for pre-season contact drills by December.

"It's disappointing that Jake won't be finishing the season, however, he was unable to continue pushing through with pain," football manager Dan Richardson said on the club's website.

"Our medical team recommended that he have it repaired immediately so that he can fully recover by the start of the 2017 pre-season."

Batchelor hasn't played at AFL level since round 12, missing two games in the past six weeks with a hamstring injury and managing two VFL games.

He played eight senior games mid-season in a disappointing campaign after not missing a match in 2015.