Limitations Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani faces in World Series Game 3 against Yankees

NEW YORK — Dodgers phenom Shohei Ohtani texted his teammates, who were on their way to the airport headed to New York, after Game 2 of the World Series. Moments earlier, Ohtani had been wincing in pain after sliding into second base and dislocating his right shoulder.
Ohtani wanted to assure his teammates that he “was going to be fine,” Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy said ahead of Game 3 at Yankee Stadium.
It did the trick.
“We said, all right, he’s got us,” Muncy said. “We’ll be ready for him to be in the lineup.”
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“He was very adamant that he was going to play,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I watched him take swings last night in the cage, looked really good, strong. Ball was coming off the bat.
“I think there was more uncertainty in all of our minds, but in his mind from day one, from Saturday evening, he was going to play.”
Ohtani is indeed in the lineup for Game 3 against the Yankees. While he’s batting leadoff, there will be some limitations for the two-time MVP Award winner, Roberts revealed.
The first problem Ohtani will face involves his swing. While he isn’t experiencing pain — Roberts explains it more as “discomfort” — his swing lacks consistency.
Watching Ohtani take swings in the cage, Roberts revealed that “some swings were fine (and) some swings were a little uncomfortable.”
This could mean that MLB’s first-ever 50-50 player could be compromised at the plate.
The second issue Ohtani faces is on the basepaths. Ohtani’s injury occurred while stealing second base in the seventh inning. It was his second attempt this postseason, and probably his last.
“I don’t think he’ll be running,” Roberts said.
While Ohtani is back, there is fear that he could reinjure his shoulder. While his injury is classified as a shoulder subluxation, which is a partial dislocation, Roberts revealed that his shoulder did have to be popped back in.
Another fear for the Dodgers is that this type of injury carries the risk of reoccurring. But Dodgers reliever Brent Honeywell doesn’t think losing Ohtani would end his team’s chances.
“He’s a really good player, don’t get me wrong on that,” Honeywell said. “But if he couldn’t have went today, we have people that can.”
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Manny Gómez may be reached at [email protected].