The Los Angeles Dodgers hold a 2-0 lead over the New York Yankees in the World Series, but excitement with winning both games at Dodger Stadium was tempered due to Shohei Ohtani suffering a subluxation of his left shoulder.
Ohtani sustained the injury on a stolen base attempt in the seventh inning. He was thrown out and immediately wore an expression of pain and discomfort.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, trainer Yosuke “Possum” Nakajima and interpreter Will Ireton tended to Ohtani, who gingerly walked off the field while supporting his left shoulder.
Ohtani is scheduled to undergo an MRI on his left shoulder on Sunday, and because of that, did not travel with the Dodgers on their chartered flight after Game 2, per Alden González of ESPN:
The Dodgers boarded their flight to New York late Saturday night, but Ohtani is expected to undergo his examination in Los Angeles and then fly out to New York on his own to meet the team thereafter.
While Roberts cautioned the Dodgers would not have a full sense of the extent of Ohtani’s injury until having the MRI, he indicated there is initial optimism.
“The strength was great, the range of motion good. So we’re encouraged,” Roberts said. “But obviously I can’t speculate because we don’t get the scans yet. Once we get the scans, we’ll know more. Again, with the strength, the range of motion good, that’s certainly a positive.”
Roberts also said he had been informed Ohtani’s injury was a subluxation of the shoulder, not full dislocation.
Ohtani went 0-for-3 with one walk and one strikeout in the Dodgers’ win. His spot in the lineup was not due up again unless the Dodgers had at least three hitters reach in the bottom of the eighth.
“I didn’t even think that far,” answered Roberts when asked if Ohtani would have been available to hit after injuring his shoulder. “I’m just happy we didn’t have to get to that spot.”
Ohtani left Dodger Stadium without wearing any sort of sleeve or brace on his shoulder.
What Shohei Ohtani’s injury means for Dodgers
Considering the early results from manual tests and that Ohtani’s injury was a subluxation, he conceivably should remain available for the World Series. However, it would not be much of a surprise if he is not in the lineup for Game 3.
If the Dodgers are without Ohtani as the World Series shifts to Yankee Stadium, Freddie Freeman may be a likely candidate to fill the designated hitter spot.
Should the Dodgers need to replace Ohtani on their roster, he would not be permitted to play again in 2024 due to MLB roster rules.
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