NEW YORK — Shohei Ohtani is expected to play in Game 3 of the World Series, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed Sunday. ESPN first reported the news.
Ohtani was expected to receive an MRI before Game 3 to determine the severity of the shoulder injury he suffered in Game 2 on Saturday. Roberts said postgame that Ohtani had suffered a subluxation, which is a partial dislocation, of his left shoulder. Early tests of strength and range of motion appeared promising, according to Roberts, who otherwise didn’t want to speculate on a timetable before Ohtani underwent an MRI.
Ohtani attempted to steal second base, as he’s done on numerous occasions during his historic 50-50 year. But this time was different. After being tagged out, he winced in pain. Dodger Stadium fell silent. The replay showed that Ohtani braced his slide with his left arm, which he gingerly held on his deflating walk back to the home dugout.
Through two World Series games, the Dodgers have secured a 2-0 lead largely in spite of Ohtani, who has hit 1-for-8 as the team’s designated hitter. Stellar starts by Jack Flaherty and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, plus timely hitting by Freddie Freeman, NLCS MVP Tommy Edman and others, have put Los Angeles in a commanding position ahead of three road games in New York.
Losing the presumptive National League MVP to injury would’ve been no less devastating, of course. Ohtani became the first player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season with 54 and 59, respectively.
(Photo: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
