Dave Roberts ‘banking on’ Shohei Ohtani to play in Game 3 of World Series despite suffering shoulder injury

Despite suffering a shoulder subluxation, Shohei Ohtani is expected to play in Game 3 of the World Series in New York on Monday.

Dave Roberts ‘banking on’ Shohei Ohtani to play in Game 3 of World Series despite suffering shoulder injury

Dave Roberts (L) and Shohei Ohtani (R) [Image via Imago]

On Saturday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers were given a huge scare when Shohei Ohtani left the playing field with a shoulder injury. The Japanese international suffered a shoulder subluxation while sliding onto second base in an attempt to successfully steal it.

In doing so Ohtani hurt himself in the left shoulder and stayed down for a while before leaving the field with a trainer. Following initial tests, coach Dave Roberts is ‘banking on‘ him to play in Game 3 on Monday night.

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While giving an update on Sunday regarding him, Roberts admitted that Ohtani would have to go through workouts on Monday but claimed that he was feeling better than yesterday.

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He’s got to still go through the workout [today] and swing the bat. 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.

Dave Roberts said on Shohei Ohtani’s injury in a press conference.

So far in the World Series, Ohtani has managed just one hit in his eight plate appearances. Despite these numbers from him, the Dodgers have been able to lift the burden off his shoulders and scored some important runs from the likes of Tommy Edman, Freddie Freeman, and Teoscar Hernandez.

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How is Shohei Ohtani expected to play in Game 3 after partially dislocating shoulder?

One major question that is on the minds of MLB fans is how is Shohei Ohtani expected to play in Game 3 after partially dislocating his left shoulder. As per his coach Dave Roberts, this injury of Ohtani comes down to his ability to handle pain and explained that players have experienced this type of injury before and went on to play in the next few days.

Shohei Ohtani
Shohei Ohtani (Image via Imago)

Ohtani is a left-handed batter. Due to this, his right shoulder is more important than the left shoulder. Roberts and the Dodgers management feel confident that this injury will not worsen if he plays on Monday night.

Honestly, it’s just kind of per his tolerance. That’s just what it is. Guys have had this before and played and again, it’s just everyone’s tolerance. I don’t see him being compromised. It’s, the left shoulder, which is the back shoulder, so I don’t see how that affects his hitting. If he’s able to go, I really don’t.

Dave Roberts said on Shohei Ohtani’s injury in a press conference.
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The Dodgers will enter the field on Monday night in the hope of taking a 3-0 lead. They will go up against Yankees’ Clarke Schmidt, who will be trying to keep the Dodgers’ lineup in control as the Bronx Bombers aim to bounce back from two defeats.