Excitement was somewhat tempered Saturday night as the Los Angeles Dodgers took a 2-0 lead over the New York Yankees in the World Series because of Shohei Ohtani suffering a left shoulder injury in the seventh inning.
Manager Dave Roberts revealed after the Dodgers’ 4-2 win that Ohtani had a “little left shoulder subluxation” that was going to require an MRI on Sunday. Roberts added the team had initial optimism because of good range of motion and strength remaining in Ohtani’s shoulder.
But he also cautioned the Dodgers would not have full clarity until Ohtani underwent an examination of his shoulder.
While specific details of the MRI results have not been made public, Roberts said Ohtani is doing well and will be in the Dodgers lineup for Game 3 on Monday night, per ESPN’s Karl Ravech:
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts tell me, Shohei Ohtani is “in a great spot and will be playing in game 3 tomorrow.”
— Karl Ravech (@karlravechespn) October 27, 2024
At the time of Ohtani’s injury, Japanese broadcaster NHK relayed he informed Dodgers trainer Yosuke Nakajima that he believed his left shoulder had “popped out.”
That does occur with a subluxation, which is when the ball at the top of the upper arm bone partially comes out of the shoulder socket. It’s a much less severe injury compared to a dislocated shoulder, when the bone fully is out of socket.
If it means anything, Shohei just walked by with a smile, and nothing that I saw on his left arm/shoulder/wrist/hand areas.
— Blake (@ByBlakeWilliams) October 27, 2024
Furthermore, the update from Roberts suggests the labrum in Ohtani’s left shoulder remained in good standing. Any damage to the ligament likely would’ve required surgery.
Ohtani did not speak with reporters prior to leaving Dodger Stadium on Saturday. Blake Williams of DodgerBlue.com did spot the 30-year-old walking through the hallway without wearing any sort of sling or support for his left shoulder.
Ohtani took some swings during the Dodgers’ workout at Yankee Stadium on Sunday night and Roberts believed he still remained on track to be in the lineup for Game 3.
Shohei Ohtani’s World Series stats
Playing in the World Series for the first time in his career, Ohtani has gone just 1-for-8 with one double, one walk and two strikeouts thus far.
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