"Whatever percent of Shohei Ohtani is better than most people” - Manager Dave Roberts hails Dodgers star's resilience through injury in World Series
LA Dodgers star slugger Shohei Ohtani didn't seem healthy in Game 3 of the World Series against the New York Yankees on Monday. Ohtani had suffered a shoulder injury in Game 2, and it seems he isn't 100% despite being slotted in to lead off the Dodgers lineup.
Earlier during Game 3 pre-game introduction, Ohtani was spotted wearing a sling on his left shoulder, possibly to avoid re-aggravating his injury. Even after he was walked in the first inning by Yankees ace Clarke Schmidt, he seemed to keep his shoulder in check, keeping it straight.
Midway into the game, manager Dave Roberts spoke with sideline reporter Ken Rosenthal to share an update on Ohtani's injury and why he was struggling at the plate.
"Shohei's doing alright," Roberts told Rosenthal. "You know, I mean, just him being in the batter's box certainly is a presence, and he's grinding, and he's not feeling his best, but, you know, whatever percent of Shohei is better than most people. So I just commend him for posting."
Shohei Ohtani's imposing presence came to the fore when Clarke Schmidt didn't bother to pitch him in the zone, leading to a four-pitch walk. That helped the Dodgers, as Freeman would come up a homer on a 1-2 pitch, which gave the team an early 2-0 lead.
Shohei Ohtani's MRI report reveals subluxation of left shoulder
Shohei Ohtani was pulled out of Game 2 in the seventh inning after his stolen base attempt, where he slid, had resulted in a left shoulder injury, which was initially thought to be a partial shoulder dislocation.
The Dodgers medical team helped the star off the field, and after getting the shoulder back in, the slugger didn't travel with the team to New York.
On Saturday, he underwent an MRI, which revealed no structural damage but he sustained a subluxation of the left shoulder. As it was to his non-throwing arm, the labrum tear concern didn't pose a hindrance for Ohtani to clear range and motion tests on Sunday at Dodger Stadium.
On late Sunday night, Shohei Ohtani flew to New York, posting a message to his team that he's cleared to play.