Shohei Ohtani suffered a shoulder subluxation during the Los Angeles Dodgers’ victory over the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the World Series, yet the team remains hopeful that the injury is not severe.
Following the game, Ohtani was diagnosed with a subluxation of his left shoulder. However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts reassured reporters that Ohtani’s strength and range of motion appear to be intact.
“We’re encouraged,” Roberts stated, reflecting the team’s cautious optimism.
The injury occurred in the seventh inning as Ohtani attempted to steal second base. After being tagged out by shortstop Anthony Volpe during a feet-first slide, he immediately clutched his left arm and remained on the ground for a couple of minutes before trainers assisted him off the field.
Despite the injury scare, the Dodgers secured the win in the ninth inning, meaning Ohtani’s turn at bat did not arise again. This victory gave Los Angeles a commanding 2-0 series lead as they prepare to travel to New York for Game 3 on Monday.
The Japanese sensation, widely regarded as the frontrunner for the National League MVP award, had a challenging game, finishing 0 for 3 with a walk. In the first two games of the Fall Classic, he is 1 for 8, currently batting .260 with three home runs and 10 RBIs in his inaugural postseason.
Since joining Major League Baseball in 2018, Ohtani has faced several injuries, primarily related to pitching. He underwent significant surgeries on his right elbow in both 2018 and the previous year. Although he did not pitch this season, he made history by becoming the first player to achieve at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season.
In September 2019, he underwent surgery on his left kneecap due to a rare congenital condition known as bipartite patella, which occurs when the kneecap does not fuse properly at birth.
[Related: Full coverage of the World Series]
Ohtani also missed the 2017 World Baseball Classic due to ankle surgery resulting from an injury sustained during the 2016 Japan Series.
