NEW YORK — Shohei Ohtani will officially play in Game 3 of the World Series on Monday night.
Ohtani is in the starting lineup as the Dodgers designated hitter for Game 3, two days after the superstar partially dislocated his left shoulder.
Ohtani got hurt sliding into second base when he was caught stealing to end the seventh inning of Saturday night’s 4-2 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 2 at Dodger Stadium.
Ohtani left the stadium almost immediately after the game, and after a day of both diagnostic tests and Ohtani expected to attempt swings off a tee and in a cage, the Dodgers determined he was good to go for Game 3.
Ohtani flew separately from the team Sunday after getting further testing and Manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani would be in the lineup against New York Yankees starter Clarke Schmidt if he could manage the pain. The team does not believe Ohtani risks further injury by playing.
“Guys have had this before and played, but again, it’s just everyone’s tolerance,” Roberts said Sunday. “I don’t see him being compromised. It’s the left shoulder, which is the back shoulder (for a left-handed hitter). So I don’t see how that affects his hitting, if he’s able to go.”
Roberts added that Ohtani was “feeling good” and “in a great spot.”
Seeking their eighth title and second in five years, the Dodgers lead, 2-0, in the best-of-seven series. Walker Buehler starts Game 3 for the Dodgers against Clarke Schmidt.
Ohtani clutched his left forearm after being tagged by shortstop Anthony Volpe for the final out in the seventh on a feetfirst slide Saturday night. He laid near the bag for a couple of minutes before being tended to by athletic trainers and leaving the field.
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The likely National League MVP was 0 for 3 with a walk in Game 2. He is 1 for 8 in the first two games of the Fall Classic and is batting .260 with three home runs and 10 RBIs in his first postseason in the majors.
A two-time American League MVP with the Angels, Ohtani joined the Dodgers last December for a record $700 million, 10-year contract.
The 30-year-old Ohtani hit .310 with 54 homers, 130 RBIs and 59 stolen bases, becoming the first player with at least 50 homers and 50 stolen bases in a season. The two-way star did not pitch this season while recovering from elbow surgery on Sept. 19, 2023, and has been limited to designated hitter.