Shohei Ohtani could be in Los Angeles’ lineup just days after the Dodgers star partially dislocated his shoulder.
In the seventh inning of the Dodgers’ 4-2 Game 2 win over the New York Yankees, Ohtani was caught stealing to end the inning. After the inning ended, the Japanese megastar remained on the dirt, clutching his left forearm as he winced in pain after sliding.
As Ohtani lay on the dirt, microphones picked up what he told Yosuke Nakajima regarding what he felt. “Shoulder,” Ohtani told Nakajima in Japanese before clarifying that he felt it pop out, according to a translation done by X account Yakyu Cosmopolitan after footage of the injury circulated social media.
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On Sunday, however, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed to ESPN’s Karl Ravech that Ohtani will play in Game 3, barring any unforeseen setbacks in his treatment. Speaking to reporters after his text to Ravech, Roberts clarified the 30-year-old’s status for Game 3.
“So as far as test results, we’ve got doctors scrambling everywhere,” Roberts said during a press conference Sunday. “I don’t have them. This is more me going by the training staff, Shohei feeling good this morning, range of motion, strength.”
The 52-year-old also added that Ohtani took a separate flight from the team in order to get more tests done on his shoulder to confirm his availability for Game 3. Roberts reiterated that Ohtani’s participation remains solely in the Japanese star’s hands and how he feels just swinging the bat.
Shohei Ohtani is set to return in Game 3 of the 2024 World Series after injuring his left shoulder in the seventh inning (
Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
“I think that taking dry swings, which he’s done, but then obviously taking balls off the tee, batting practice in the cage, that’s going to be telling,” Roberts continued. “I think that he’s obviously well aware of himself and his body so if he feels good enough to go, then I see no reason why he wouldn’t be in there.”
Roberts likened Ohtani’s shoulder injury to former Dodgers star Cody Bellinger’s injury, which he sustained in 2020. Despite the two injuries being similar, Los Angeles’ skipper doesn’t believe it would compromise Ohtani’s effectiveness if he is indeed able to play.
To that point, Roberts made it a point to state that each player’s pain tolerance is different and if the pain is too great, the team would not hesitate to shut the star down to rest his injured shoulder. Still, the 52-year-old believes Ohtani can compete unencumbered, based on the conversations he’s had with those who have worked on the Japanese star’s shoulder.
“That’s my expectation, given talking to the training staff and getting the reports,” Roberts added. “So I just know if it’s a per-tolerance situation, I just don’t see him not playing Game 3.
“He’s got to still go through the workout and swing the bat, but again, today feels better than yesterday and our assumption is tomorrow’s going to feel better than today. And so with that, that’s what I’m banking on.”
First pitch of Game 3 of the 2024 World Series is at 8:08 PM ET, as the Yankees look to get one game back after losing the first two in Los Angeles.
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