Dodgers manager gives encouraging update on Ohtani

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts at second base after an apparent injury in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees during game two of the 2024 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Dodgers manager gives encouraging injury update on Shohei Ohtani

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Oct 27, 2024 3:47 PM ET

The Los Angeles Dodgers' Game 2 win in the World Series on Saturday came at a big cost as superstar Shohei Ohtani suffered a shoulder injury on a late-inning stolen-base attempt.

As bad as it looked in the moment, Ohtani seemed to be doing well on Sunday, and according to manager Dave Roberts, he should be expected to be in the lineup for Game 3 when the series shifts to Yankee Stadium on Monday.

Roberts told ESPN's Karl Ravech on Sunday that Ohtani is "in a great spot" and will be in the Game 3 lineup.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts tell me, Shohei Ohtani is “in a great spot and will be playing in game 3 tomorrow.”
— Karl Ravech (@karlravechespn) October 27, 2024

That is definitely an encouraging statement and probably shocking to anybody that watched Ohtani leave Saturday's game.

The injury was to Ohtani's left shoulder, which is important because he played this season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. His right arm is his pitching arm.

Despite the Tommy John recovery, Ohtani still put together an MVP-caliber season at the plate and was the best hitter in the National League, finishing as the first player to ever hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in the same season while also leading the National League with a 1.036 OPS. That OPS was second only to Yankees centerfielder Aaron Judge across Major League Baseball.

The Dodgers' lineup has three MVP winners at the top with Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. Freeman is already dealing with an ankle injury but has delivered two huge home runs in the World Series, including a walk-off grand slam to win Game 1 of the series. Ohtani has not homered in the series but still has an .863 OPS in the playoffs overall.

Even if he is not 100% healthy, Ohtani's presence at the top of the lineup will be significant for the Dodgers.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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