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How the LA Dodgers star plays with a shoulder injury

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How the LA Dodgers star plays with a shoulder injury

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NEW YORK – The text message went out to the entire Dodgers team as they headed to the airport after Game 2 of the World Series.

Shohei Ohtani wanted to make it clear to his teammates that he would be okay after suffering a subluxation, or partial dislocation, of his left shoulder during a steal attempt in the Dodgers' 4-2 win over the Yankees.

“He said he was going to play, so we all just put it aside at that moment,” Max Muncy said. “We all said, ‘Okay, he’s got us. We're ready to have him in the lineup.'”

Less than 48 hours later, the Dodgers' best-case scenario became a reality. Ohtani was in the lineup and batted the leadoff before their World Series Game 3 matchup against the Yankees on Monday at 8:08 p.m. at Yankee Stadium. The Dodgers lead the series 2-0.

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“If you keep the game’s best player in the lineup, that’s usually good for your team,” Muncy said. “Obviously having him there is a big guy. That helps us a lot. He had some big moments for us and we obviously expect a few more big moments from him.”

Shohei Ohtani remained quiet in five plate appearances

Ohtani did not show his usual strength and continued to fight despite the discomfort caused by his injury.

After walking on four pitches in the opening inning, Ohtani was blank in his next three at-bats. He landed, swung and ended up in foul territory.

In the ninth inning, Ohtani reached base for the second time when he was hit by a pitch but was thrown out as part of an inning-ending double play. As he ran, Ohtani held his left arm tightly to his chest to restrict movement.

Shohei Ohtani nursed left arm throughout the opening inning

Clarke Schmidt, the Yankees' starter, did not force Ohtani to swing the bat in his opening at-bat of the game.

Schmidt threw four balls in a row to the Dodgers DH, allowing him to take first base. When he got there, Ohtani was visibly uncomfortable as he held the collar of his jersey with his left hand the entire time he was at first base.

Ohtani, who wore a bandage on his arm during pregame introductions, scored when Freddie Freeman blasted a Schmidt cutter over the right field wall, giving the Dodgers an early 2-0 lead.

How effective can Shohei Ohtani be?

Ohtani completed a workout with the Dodgers on Sunday in the Bronx, including dry swings, tee shots and batting practice.

Manager Dave Roberts was encouraged by what he saw.

“Some swings were OK, some were a little awkward,” Roberts said before Monday’s game. “But I think for me it was more that we didn’t feel like he was going to be compromised and that he was going to play.”

The big question remains how effective the presumptive National League MVP will be with bat in hand while playing through discomfort.

In his first 13 career playoff games, Ohtani hit 13 for 50 (.260) with three home runs, 10 RBI, 13 runs, 12 walks and 19 strikeouts. He is 1-9 in the World Series with a game-winning double and a run scored in Game 1, the Dodgers' extra-inning win, and two strikeouts.

“I think it's definitely an advantage for us to have him in the batter's box,” Roberts said. “No matter what limitations a pitcher believes he or she has, not many people are willing to take that risk. I just expect him to control the strike zone, let the shots come to him and swing and fire when the ball is in a strike zone.

Roberts noted that the injury might be less stressful because it was to the left shoulder, or the back shoulder for the left-handed designated hitter. He's not the only Dodgers player feeling some discomfort.

Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman has a badly sprained ankle but has been the star of the World Series so far, with a walk-off grand slam in Game 1 and another solo home run in Game 2.

Check back here for updates on Game 3.

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