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Dodgers World Series: Shohei Ohtani In ‘Great Spot’ For Game 3

Matthew Moreno
3 Min Read

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:

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.

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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Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com