Is Shohei Ohtani more hurt than Dodgers are letting on? World Series Game 3 is telling

NEW YORK — In between the boos, Yankee Stadium went abuzz ahead of Game 3 of the World Series. That’s when Dodgers phenom Shohei Ohtani walked out of the dugout after being announced by the stadium’s public announcer during introductions in a modified sling, holding his left arm up.
It’s the first time baseball fans have seen Ohtani since he suffered a shoulder subluxation, which is a partial dislocation, while attempting to steal second base in the seventh inning of Game 2 at Dodger Stadium. It was also the first indication that Ohtani’s shoulder might not be as healthy as his team has led everyone to believe.
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Another indicator showed up in the first inning when he drew a four-pitch walk to lead off the game against the Yankees. Ohtani proceeded to run the bases while holding the top of his shirt with his left hand as if wearing an imaginary sling.
Then, during the fourth-inning interview with FOX‘s Ken Rosenthal, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts disclosed what many fans assumed.
“Shohei‘s doing all right,” Roberts said. “Just him being in the batter‘s box is a presence and he’s grinding. He’s not feeling his best. Whatever percent of Shohei is better than most people.”
Before the game, Roberts admitted that Ohtani, who stole 59 bases in the regular season, would not be as aggressive on the basepaths in Game 3.
Asked before the game if Ohtani had the green like to steal, Roberts said, “I don’t think he’ll be running.”
It isn’t the only limitation Ohtani will deal with for presumably the remainder of the best-of-seven series. While he isn’t experiencing pain — Roberts explains it more as “discomfort” — his swing lacks consistency.
Watching Ohtani take swings in the cage before Game 3, Roberts revealed that “some swings were fine (and) some swings were a little uncomfortable.”
So far, in two at-bats against the Yankees, Ohtani has seen nine pitches and swung at two of them. He grounded out to second base in the third inning.
Check back for updates on Ohtani’s shoulder.
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Manny Gómez may be reached at [email protected].