Shohei Ohtani was in the lineup for Game 3 of the World Series, despite suffering a partially dislocated shoulder two days earlier. He went 0 for 3 with a walk in Game 4, clearly affected by the injury. Ohtani wore a heating pad under his jersey and taped himself up for the game, as recommended by team trainers. Despite the discomfort, he insisted that the injury did not impact his swing, and he continued to play through the pain.
During pregame introductions, Ohtani was seen wearing a heating pad and a device to keep his shoulder warm, as recommended by the Dodgers’ trainers. He could also be seen holding onto his jersey collar with his left hand while running the bases. Ohtani stated that if the injury had been to his right shoulder, it would have affected his swing, but fortunately, it was his left shoulder. Despite the injury, he continued to play and contribute to the team’s 4-2 win in Game 4 of the World Series.
When asked about his shoulder injury after the game, Ohtani mentioned that he had not had further conversations about needing surgery and that additional testing would be done after the season is over. He expressed that he did not think surgery would be necessary based on how he currently feels. Ohtani initially was more concerned with the play on the field when he suffered the injury and only realized the extent of it after the game. Despite the uncertainty about surgery, he seems focused on finishing the World Series.
With the Dodgers holding a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, Ohtani may not have to wait long for the offseason to arrive. The Dodgers have the opportunity to clinch the championship in Game 5, potentially bringing an end to Ohtani’s season sooner than expected. However, Ohtani’s resilience and determination to play through the injury demonstrate his dedication to the team and his commitment to helping them succeed. The Dodgers will continue to monitor his shoulder and assess any further treatment options as they aim to secure a World Series victory.
