As the Los Angeles Dodgers were making progress toward a Game 2 win in the World Series, excitement quickly evaporated as Shohei Ohtani suffered a left shoulder injury while attempting to steal second base.
Ohtani had reached safely via a one-out walk in the bottom of the seventh inning. After Mookie Betts struck out, Ohtani broke for second base on the first pitch to Teoscar Hernández.
He was thrown out to end the inning and immediately began to grab at his left shoulder and wrist. Dodgers trainer Yosuke “Possum” Nakajima rushed out to the field to check on Ohtani, who continued to support his left arm while slowly walking off the field.
Ohtani immediately went into the Dodgers clubhouse and was not seen back in the dugout when the eighth inning began.
Manager Dave Roberts said after Game 2 that Ohtani suffered “a little left shoulder subluxation, so we’re going to get some tests tonight or tomorrow and know more.”
Roberts said the Dodgers have initial optimism because of the range of motion and strength in Ohtani’s left shoulder. But he did reiterate more clarity would not arrive until Ohtani undergoes an MRI on Sunday.
A subluxation differs from a complete dislocation in that the ball at the top of the arm bone only partially comes out of the socket rather than fully being dislodged.
What if Shohei Ohtani misses games?
If Ohtani has an injury that prevents him from playing, the Dodgers would hold the option of replacing him on their World Series roster.
However, doing so would mean Ohtani could not return for any remaining games against the New York Yankees.
The Dodgers could elect to keep Ohtani active and hope he makes a quick recovery.
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