The Los Angeles Dodgers suffered a scare in Game 2 of the 2024 World Series when Shohei Ohtani injured his left shoulder on a stolen base attempt.
Ohtani underwent an MRI the following day, which the team only disclosed revealed a partial dislocation of his left shoulder. The two-way star played through the injury but later underwent offseason surgery to repair a labrum tear.
Ohtani was limited at the start of Spring Training but has since made his 2025 Cactus League debut and maintains he will be ready for the Tokyo Series later this month.
To help prevent future shoulder injuries, Ohtani has been working on a new sliding technique this spring that involves keeping his left arm by his side at all times.
If you thought Shohei Ohtani's slide into second base tonight looked a little different, he's been working on a new one. pic.twitter.com/aoZGFAdGgw
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) March 5, 2025
Ohtani has been mindful of making the adjustment even dating back to last year after his injury, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noted.
“Even last year, obviously, after the injury, you saw him kind of run around with his left arm at his side,” Roberts said. “So just kind of being mindful of keeping that left hand and not using it to brace himself when he slides is something that he’s really trying to be conscious of.”
Roberts isn’t concerned about Ohtani using his pitching arm to brace himself when sliding.
“No, because I think the thing is when you slide with your right leg leading, it’s typically the left arm that goes down, and it’s not really the right,” Roberts explained. “So the right doesn’t take the brunt of the force.”
Shohei Ohtani’s goal before Tokyo Series
With the Tokyo Series less than two weeks away, Ohtani shared his target goal for at-bats before the team travels to Japan.
“Overall, just live plus seeing pitches in Trajekt, I would like to be able to have at least 50 at-bats,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton.
Those at-bats could come from a combination of Cactus League games, B-games and facing live pitching on the backfields.
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