Dodgers 'banking on' Ohtani to start in Game 3 following shoulder injury

NEW YORK -- Although initial indications were positive, the Dodgers left Dodger Stadium on Saturday night with legitimate concern about whether Shohei Ohtani would be forced to miss some -- if not the rest -- of the World Series against the Yankees with a left shoulder subluxation.

But on Sunday, Ohtani’s injury was in a better spot than the Dodgers anticipated. So much, in fact, that manager Dave Roberts said the expectation is for the superstar designated hitter to be in the Dodgers’ lineup for Game 3 on Monday night at Yankee Stadium.

“He still has to go through the workout and swing the bat,” Roberts said before the Dodgers’ workout on Sunday at Yankee Stadium. “But today feels better than yesterday, and our assumption is tomorrow’s going to feel better than today. So with that, that’s what I’m banking on.”

Ohtani suffered the shoulder subluxation, which is partial dislocation, when he landed awkwardly on his left arm during a stolen-base attempt that ended the seventh inning of the Dodgers’ 4-2 win in Game 2. He immediately signaled for a timeout to the second-base umpire and walked off the field with the training staff while holding his left arm gingerly.

Ohtani underwent further testing on Sunday, but Roberts said he didn’t have the exact diagnosis. Ohtani, who flew separately from the team on Sunday, did not participate in the team’s workout during the two-hour window on the field but was seen entering the stadium at around 7:30 p.m. ET.

Roberts had noted that Ohtani would go through baseball activity -- swings off the tee, then batting practice.

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“I think that taking dry swings, which he’s done, then obviously taking balls off the tee, batting practice in the cage, that’s going to be telling,” Roberts said. “I think that he’s obviously very well aware of himself and his body. So if he feels good enough to go, then I see no reason why he wouldn’t be in there.”

If Ohtani comes out feeling OK, the Dodgers are confident the favorite to win this year’s NL MVP will be atop their lineup in Game 3 and beyond. When asked whether Ohtani would be compromised at all, Roberts said the injury usually comes down to pain tolerance.

“I think honestly it's just per his tolerance,” Robert said. “That's just what it is. So I guess you could put it in the Freddie [Freeman] bucket. But guys have had this before and played. But, again, it's just everyone's tolerance.”

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One positive, the Dodgers believe, is that Ohtani’s swing shouldn’t be affected too much with the injury. The right shoulder is far more important for a left-handed hitter, especially one who swings as aggressively as Ohtani. The Dodgers also feel confident that Ohtani’s injury won’t get worse as he plays through it.

If Ohtani has to miss time, which isn’t expected, the Dodgers have enough coverage behind him. Freeman, who is battling a right ankle sprain, can shift from first base to designated hitter, moving third baseman Max Muncy, who took some grounders on Sunday, back to first base.

Shortstop Miguel Rojas or outfielder Andy Pages could then get some additional playing time. Pages has shown flashes throughout the postseason, including a two-homer game against the Mets in the NL Championship Series.

But the Dodgers are hoping they don’t have to tap into their depth. As of now, the game’s biggest star is expected to be back on the game’s biggest stage on Monday.

“If he’s able to play, willing to play, he’s going to play,” Roberts said. “[Clarke] Schmidt will know that Shohei’s in the box, so that means everything.”