Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers will shrug off shoulder problems and play Game 3 of the World Series on Monday night in New York against the Yankees. This was confirmed by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to ESPN.
Ohtani partially dislocated his left shoulder in an attempted steal at second base Saturday in a 4-2 Dodgers victory. The streak ended in the seventh inning.
Ohtani attempted a somewhat clumsy slide, finding himself taken out by shortstop Anthony Volpe’s sweeping motion. He remained on the ground for a while, then left the match, accompanied by therapists.
The star slugger, however, was given the green light to play Monday, Roberts told ESPN in a text message Sunday.
The Japanese finished the second game with a record of 0 for 3 and a walk. In the World Series opener, he was 1 for 5, hitting a double and scoring a run.
Ohtani was one of the few players to avoid the injured list this year. Nearly every member of the rotation has had to spend time on the sidelines.
Mookie Betts missed nearly two months (fractured hand) and Max Muncy missed more than three months (oblique), while Freddie Freeman overcame a sprained right ankle.
Ohtani did not pitch this season, but he became the first player in major league history to deliver a season with at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases.
Los Angeles is in command 2-0 in the series. The Dodgers are seeking their second championship in five years.
