Dodgers Superstar Shohei Ohtani Suffers Partial Shoulder Dislocation in Game 2 of the World Series

Ohtani’s Status for Game 3 Remains Uncertain

In a concerning moment for Los Angeles Dodgers fans, superstar Shohei Ohtani partially dislocated his left shoulder during Game 2 of the World Series against the New York Yankees on Saturday. The injury occurred during a steal attempt, with Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe tagging Ohtani out, bringing the seventh inning to a close.

After the play, Ohtani was seen clutching his left forearm in pain and remained on the ground near second base as trainers assessed him. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts later confirmed Ohtani experienced a “left shoulder subluxation” and stated that further imaging would be conducted to determine the extent of the injury. “The strength was great. The range of motion is good, so we’re encouraged,” Roberts explained, refraining from speculation until scan results are available.

Dodgers Extend Series Lead Despite Injury Concerns

Despite the setback, the Dodgers persevered, securing a 4-2 victory and extending their lead in the series to 2-0. Ohtani, a leading contender for the National League MVP, went 0 for 3 with a walk in Game 2, bringing his performance to 1 for 8 in the World Series. His strong postseason debut has been marked by a .260 batting average, three home runs, and 10 RBIs, underscoring his immense value to the Dodgers’ lineup.

The injury news reverberated through the Yankees’ dugout as well, prompting comments from Yankees star Aaron Judge. “That was tough. You never like seeing the best player in the game get injured like that… Hopefully, it’s all good news. We’ll see what happens,” Judge shared.

Dodgers’ Resilience Faces Another Challenge

Ohtani has been one of the few players on the Dodgers’ roster to avoid significant injury this season, even as injuries plagued other key players. Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, and Freddie Freeman have each endured their own setbacks, testing the Dodgers’ adaptability and resilience. Betts, who recently returned from a broken left hand, expressed confidence in the team’s ability to overcome this latest hurdle. “We’ve got a great group of guys here, and I believe we can take care of business for sure,” Betts remarked.

Freeman, playing through a sprained right ankle, echoed Betts’ optimism, highlighting the close-knit camaraderie within the Dodgers’ clubhouse. “When you have a group like this, they picked me up when I have been down. We’ll try to do the same for him,” Freeman said.

Ohtani’s Journey Through Resilience and Setbacks

Since joining the majors in 2018, most of Ohtani’s injuries have been related to his pitching, including elbow surgeries in 2018 and 2023. This season, he focused exclusively on batting, achieving an unprecedented milestone as the first MLB player with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. While this latest injury to his shoulder may limit his ability to contribute in the next games, Ohtani’s resilience continues to inspire fans and teammates.

As the Dodgers await further test results, both the team and their supporters are hopeful for a swift recovery, eager to see Ohtani back on the field to help sustain the Dodgers’ momentum in their World Series run.