The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing a potentially major setback as their two-way superstar, Shohei Ohtani, suffered a partial dislocation of his left shoulder during Game 2 of the World Series against the New York Yankees. The injury occurred as Ohtani, who has dazzled fans with his unprecedented performance this season, attempted to steal second base. According to MLB.com, Ohtani was tagged out and then was seen rolling on the ground in pain before being helped off the field.
Despite the Dodgers taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the series with a 4-2 win, the atmosphere in the clubhouse was subdued due to concerns over Ohtani's injury. Manager Dave Roberts shared that the strength and range of motion tests were "good," which can to allow the team to be "encouraged." An MRI is scheduled to provide further clarity on the extent of the injury. This information was corroborated by both AP News and ABC News.
Dodgers players have voiced their support and concern for Ohtani, with teammate Tommy Edman stating, "He's the best player in the game, and to see him on the ground in pain, it's not a good feeling for sure," as obtained by MLB.com. The sense of unease was echoed by Yankees' star Aaron Judge who said, "You never like seeing the best player in the game get injured like that," in a statement to AP News.
Despite the injury scare, Roberts expressed hope, not ready yet to contemplate the World Series without their MVP candidate. "We've been battling throughout the year with a lot of injuries," outfielder Teoscar Hernández told MLB.com, suggesting the team’s resilience could help them persevere. Even with the potential loss of Ohtani, Mookie Betts remained optimistic, telling AP News that he believes in the team's ability "to take care of business for sure."
Ohtani has been pivotal for the Dodgers, both at the plate and on the bases, especially after completing the first 50-homerun and 50-stolen base season in MLB history. The severity of the shoulder injury remains to be seen, with the outcome of the MRI scan being highly anticipated as the Dodgers and their fans hold their breath.
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