Ohtani reportedly cleared for World Series Game 3 after shoulder scare

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is expected to play in the next World Series game against the New York Yankees on Monday night after injuring his shoulder in a slide Saturday.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told ESPN on Sunday that Ohtani was in good shape and “will be playing in game 3 tomorrow,” according to reporter Karl Ravech. The Japanese two-way player gave fans a fright when he tried to steal second base in the bottom of the seventh and slid hard onto the ground.

Ohtani didn’t make the steal and lay on his stomach while raising a hand to call for help after the play. He stayed down until the Los Angeles training staff came out to help him off the field.

The Dodgers ultimately won the game and are leading the World Series 2-0, but Ohtani’s future in the series was uncertain Saturday night. Roberts told reporters that Ohtani had a “little left-shoulder subluxation” after the game.

“We’re going to get some tests at some point tonight or tomorrow and we’ll know more in the next couple of days,” Roberts said at the time. “But the strength was great, the range of motion good, so we’re encouraged.”

It appears that the tests corroborated that assessment and Ohtani will take the plate in the Bronx on Monday night, likely to the dismay of many Yankees fans. While the Dodgers certainly have a stacked batting lineup, it’s no secret that Ohtani is one of the greatest baseball players of all time.

The National League’s MVP favorite, Ohtani hit .310 with 54 home runs, 130 RBIs and 59 stolen bases this year. He is the first player in MLB history to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in one season.

Baseball fans were eager to see him face off against Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge in the World Series, but Judge has been in a tough postseason slump. The Yankees captain is considered one of the greatest home run hitters in the MLB but has not made significant headway against the Dodgers so far.

Standing at 6-foot-7 at the plate, Judge hit homers in five consecutive games this September to earn a total of 58 home runs in the regular season. He’s one of few sluggers with at least 58 home runs in multiple seasons, joining the ranks of legends like Babe Ruth.