Shohei Ohtani in Dodgers lineup after injury scare

Shortly after partially dislocating his left shoulder in Game 2 of the World Series, Shohei Ohtani was certain he would return for Game 3.

How safe?

The Dodgers star sent a text message to his teammates Saturday night as they rode the bus to the airport to fly to New York.

“He said he was going to be fine and that was it,” Max Muncy said Monday before Game 3 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium. “He said he was going to play, so we’ve all put it aside for now.”

True to his word, Ohtani was back at the helm Monday as the DH as the Dodgers looked to extend their 2-0 series lead against the Yankees.

Ohtani suffered the injury during an attempted steal of second base on Saturday. According to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, he was diagnosed with a subluxation (partial dislocation) of his left shoulder, but further testing revealed no other damage.

This allowed Ohtani to play depending on his pain tolerance.

And any doubts that might have existed about that were largely dispelled Sunday when Ohtani struck out in the batting cage.

“He looked really good, strong and the ball was really coming off his bat,” Roberts said. “I think there was more uncertainty for all of us, but in his mind he wanted to play from day one, from Saturday night.”

The presumptive National League MVP that season became the first 50/50 player (homers and stolen bases) in major league history.

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Roberts doubts Ohtani will try to steal bases the rest of this series, but the slugger remains a threat when he's at the plate with a bat.

“When I saw him hit balls off the tee at 102 miles per hour in the cage, it was a joy,” Roberts said. “Now he’s in there more and I’m just thinking about the game. I don't think about where he is physically. He’s in the lineup, so that’s all I’m thinking about.”

Even if Ohtani is less than 100 percent, his mere presence in the batter's box is enough to scare the opponent.

“Regardless of what limitations a pitcher (Ohtani) may or may not think are possible, not many people are willing to take that risk,” Roberts said. “I just expect him to control the strike zone, let the bats come to him and swing and fire when the ball is in the strike zone. We’re just really thankful he’s in the lineup.”

Ohtani entered the day this postseason with a .260/.403/.460 slash line with three homers and 10 RBIs. Two of those home runs came against the Mets in the NLCS.

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

“Roberts' only regret is that he was not part of the text chain in which Ohtani told his teammates that he was fine and would continue playing.”

“It would have been helpful if I had seen that thread,” Roberts said. “I would have slept better on Saturday night. I didn’t know about that until today, so that would have been helpful.”