Shohei Ohtani should be fine for Game 3 of the World Series.
The Los Angeles Dodgers manager told reporters Sunday afternoon that Ohtani, who injured his shoulder in Saturday’s Game 2 against the New York Yankees, is “in great shape” and should be able to play in the Bronx on Monday night.
Roberts said that while he did not have specific test results, things did not go according to the training staff’s instructions, and that Ohtani was feeling “good” on Sunday morning.
“I think he obviously understands himself and his body really well, so if he feels better, there’s no reason not to go,” Roberts said.
“If he’s feeling good and able to play, I don’t see any reason he wouldn’t be in (the lineup).”
Dave Roberts addresses the media about Shohei Ohtani’s possibility of playing in Game 3 pic.twitter.com/t6kmC4eZ5D
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 27, 2024
A final decision on Ohtani’s status will be made on Monday.
The Dodgers superstar went down with a left shoulder injury in Game 2 of the World Series, leaving previously jubilant Dodger Stadium stunned when he left the field with an athletic trainer on Saturday night.
Otani was thrown while attempting to steal second base at the end of the seventh inning, and sat on the field in pain. He was supporting himself with his left arm, but his weight shifted to it and he slipped into second place. Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal later reported it was a shoulder injury.
Fox Sports Mike picked up Ohtani’s conversation after the injury, and one Japanese-speaking account reported that Ohtani said his left shoulder popped out of its socket.
Ohtani left Dodger Stadium immediately after the game, but Roberts told reporters after the game that initial tests for Ohtani’s injury came back positive, despite the initially frightening scene. Roberts said at the time that Ohtani had a “slight” subluxation, but did not elaborate on the extent of the injury.
The Dodgers were up 4-1 at the time of the injury, but went on to win 4-2 and take a 2-0 lead in the series. With Ohtani remaining, the baseball world will breathe a sigh of relief for the remaining series. The 2024 World Series was set to be Ohtani’s first appearance on baseball’s biggest stage, and the ratings were commensurate.
The Dodgers head to New York for Game 3 on Monday, and the team and fans alike remain grateful to have Ohtani in the lineup.
Stealing bases was the story of Ohtani’s season, from a fast but inefficient baserunner to one of the best runners in baseball in his first season with the Dodgers. He made MLB history in his first 50-50 season, finishing the season with 59 stolen bases in 63 attempts, but his skills were a different story in the postseason.
The play in which he was injured was only his second attempt in the playoffs and was unsuccessful.
