Shohei Ohtani, the two-way phenom, has officially been cleared to pitch in Game 3 of the World Series. After experiencing shoulder discomfort earlier in the series, the Angels’ star has recovered and is ready to take the mound. This news is a huge relief to the Angels, who hope to extend their lead in the series.
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is anticipated to participate in the upcoming World Series game against the New York Yankees on Monday evening, following a shoulder injury sustained during a slide on Saturday.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts informed ESPN on Sunday that Ohtani is in satisfactory condition and “will be playing in game 3 tomorrow,” as reported by journalist Karl Ravech. The Japanese two-way player caused concern among fans when he attempted to steal second base in the bottom of the seventh inning and executed a hard slide.
Ohtani was unable to complete the steal and remained on the ground, raising his hand to signal for assistance after the play. He remained down until the training staff from Los Angeles arrived to assist him off the field.
The Dodgers secured victory in the game, establishing a 2-0 lead in the World Series; however, Ohtani’s status for the series remained uncertain as of Saturday night. Manager Roberts informed the media that Ohtani experienced a “minor left-shoulder subluxation” following the game.
“We plan to conduct some tests either tonight or tomorrow, and we will have more information in the coming days,” Roberts stated at that time. “However, the strength was impressive, and the range of motion was satisfactory, so we remain optimistic.”
It seems that the results of the tests confirmed this evaluation, and Ohtani is expected to take the plate in the Bronx on Monday night, likely disappointing many Yankees supporters. While the Dodgers boast a formidable batting lineup, it is widely acknowledged that Ohtani ranks among the greatest baseball players in history.
The frontrunner for the National League MVP, Ohtani achieved a remarkable batting average of .310, alongside 54 home runs, 130 RBIs, and 59 stolen bases this season. He has made history as the first player in Major League Baseball to achieve both 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases within a single season.
Baseball enthusiasts were keen to witness a matchup between him and Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge in the World Series; however, Judge has been experiencing a challenging postseason performance. Regarded as one of the premier home run hitters in MLB history, the Yankees captain has struggled to make a significant impact against the Dodgers thus far.
At 6 feet 7 inches tall, Judge recorded home runs in five consecutive games this September, culminating in a total of 58 home runs during the regular season. He is among a select group of sluggers who have hit at least 58 home runs in multiple seasons, placing him alongside baseball legends such as Babe Ruth.
