Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani Injury Scare: Updates and Yankees’ Reactions

Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani Injury Scare: Updates and Yankees’ Reactions

LOS ANGELES – Saturday night’s game between the Dodgers and the Yankees had a nerve-wracking moment that silenced the crowd when Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers' star and a 50/50 charter member, injured himself during a slide. He attempted to steal his first World Series base in the seventh inning, with the Dodgers already up by three runs and aiming to secure a 2-0 lead in this best-of-seven series.

Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres recalled, “I just tried to make the out and didn’t really see what happened.” First baseman Anthony Rizzo added, “I saw him slide and just stay down.” The inning ended, but Ohtani remained on his back, clearly in pain.

The tension in the stadium was palpable. “The whole stadium went silent,” noted Dodgers left fielder Teoscar Hernandez. “You know how big Shohei is for this team.” Fortunately, the Dodgers quickly received an encouraging update on Ohtani's condition.

According to the Dodgers' medical team, preliminary imaging indicated that Ohtani had suffered a shoulder subluxation – a partial dislocation of the shoulder. Unlike a severe injury, like a broken collarbone or a separated shoulder, which could end his season, a subluxation can often be managed with proper care. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts shared the positive update, saying, “He had a little left shoulder subluxation, but the strength was great, and his range of motion was good. So we’re encouraged.”

However, Roberts cautioned that more tests were needed to fully assess Ohtani’s condition. Ohtani traveled with the Dodgers to New York on a late-night flight to undergo further imaging on Monday. “We’re going to get some tests at some point and then know more in the next couple of days,” Roberts added. “With the strength and range of motion looking good, that’s a positive sign.”

Roberts expressed optimism that Ohtani might even be ready to play in Game 3 against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Monday night, but the team is waiting on the final test results. “I can’t speculate because we don’t have the scans yet. Once we do, we’ll know more,” Roberts explained.

The incident unfolded during Ohtani’s slide attempt. Roberts described the play, noting, “He slides on his left knee, right foot forward. Then as he put his hand down, it probably subluxed out. That’s probably what it was.” The Yankees also hoped for Ohtani’s swift recovery, understanding the significance of his presence in the sport, even though his absence might give them a slight advantage.

“First, you hope he’s OK for the sport,” said Rizzo. “You want your best players on the field. If they do lose a guy like that, it’s a huge loss for their team.” Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodon echoed Rizzo’s sentiment. “As a competitor and baseball player, you don’t want to see anybody get hurt. He’s such a tremendous player. That would be a tough loss for them.”

Fans and teammates alike are holding their breath for good news on Ohtani’s condition. His potential return to the lineup on Monday would be a relief to the Dodgers as they aim for a 3-0 lead in the series. But beyond team standings, everyone is hoping this injury scare is a brief setback for one of baseball's most celebrated talents.

Stay tuned for updates as the Dodgers await further imaging results on Ohtani’s shoulder.