Dodgers' Ohtani expected to play in Game 3 of World Series – Daily News

NEW YORK – The Dodgers have hoped for the best from injuries all season, but have often been disappointed. Maybe not this time.

Team sources confirmed that Shohei Ohtani recovered well on Sunday — “shockingly well,” one source said — from the partial dislocation of his left shoulder that he suffered during Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday night.

Ohtani was examined by doctors on Sunday morning before leaving for New York.

With Sunday off, it's possible Ohtani will be in the Dodgers' lineup for Game 3 on Monday at Yankee Stadium. According to a report, the Dodgers' slugger has been cleared to play, manager Dave Roberts told ESPN in a text message on Sunday. Roberts was scheduled to speak to the media later Sunday at Yankee Stadium.

Ohtani injured himself sliding to second base when he was caught stealing to end the seventh inning of Saturday night's 4-2 win in Game 2 at Dodger Stadium.

Ohtani clutched his left forearm after being sent out on a foot-first slide by shortstop Anthony Volpe in the seventh. He lay near the bag for a few minutes before being attended to by trainers and leaving the field.

Roberts said Saturday night that Ohtani “had a mild left shoulder subluxation” and would undergo an imaging test either Saturday night or Sunday. Roberts said after the game that he was encouraged that Ohtani had good shoulder strength and mobility, but the team needed to see the results of his scans before knowing his status.

The Dodgers are 2-0 in the best-of-seven series and are two wins shy of their second championship in five years.

The Japanese slugger – and presumptive National League MVP – was 0-for-3 with a walk in Game 2. He was 1-for-8 in the first two games of the Fall Classic and batted .260 with three home runs and 10 RBIs in his first postseason the majors.

Ohtani was one of the few players on the Dodgers roster who made it through the season without a major injury. The pitching staff has been plagued by injuries, with nearly every member of the starting lineup on the injured list.

Among position players, Mookie Betts was out nearly two months with a broken left hand, and Max Muncy was out nearly half the season with a right oblique muscle strain. Freddie Freeman is playing in the postseason with a severe right ankle sprain.

Ohani didn't pitch this year, but became the first player in major league history with at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season.

This report contains content from The Associated Press.

Originally published: October 27, 2024 at 2:21 p.m