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    • How LA Dodgers star plays with shoulder injury
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    How LA Dodgers star plays with shoulder injury

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    NEW YORK – The text message came to the entire Dodgers team as they headed to the airport after Game 2 of the World Series.

    Shohei Ohtani wanted his teammates to know he would be OK after suffering a left shoulder subluxation or partial dislocation on a steal in the Dodgers’ 4-2 win over the Yankees.

    “He said he was going to play, so we put it all aside at that point,” Max Muncy said. “We all said, ‘Okay, he’s got us. We’ll be ready to have him in the lineup.'”

    Less than 48 hours later, the Dodgers’ best-case scenario came to fruition. Ohtani was in the lineup and hit leadoff prior to their World Series Game 3 matchup with the Yankees on Monday at 8:08 PM at Yankee Stadium. The Dodgers lead the series 2-0.

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    “If you keep the best player in the game in the lineup, it’s usually good for your team,” Muncy said. “Obviously he’s there, he’s a big guy to have there. It helps a lot. He’s had some big moments for us, and obviously we expect some big moments from him.”

    Shohei Ohtani quiet in five at bats

    The usual strength was not on display for Ohtani, who continued despite the discomfort brought on by his injury.

    After walking on four pitches in the first inning, Ohtani came up empty in his next three at-bats. He grounded out, struckout and ended up in foul territory.

    In the ninth inning, Ohtani reached base for the second time when he was hit by a pitch, but was thrown out as part of an inning-ending double play. As he ran, Ohtani held his left arm tight to his chest to limit movement.

    Shohei Ohtani handled the left arm duties throughout the opening inning

    Yankees starter Clarke Schmidt didn’t force Ohtani to swing the bat in his opening at bat of the game.

    Schmidt threw four consecutive balls to the Dodgers DH, allowing him to take first base. Once there, Ohtani was clearly uncomfortable and held the collar of his jersey with his left hand the entire time while standing on first base.

    Ohtani, who wore a shawl around his arm during pregame introductions, came around to score when Freddie Freeman fired a cutter from Schmidt over the right-field wall to give the Dodgers an early 2-0 lead.

    How effective can Shohei Ohtani be?

    Ohtani underwent training with the Dodgers in the Bronx on Sunday, which included dry swings, hitting a tee and taking batting practice.

    Manager Dave Roberts was encouraged by what he saw.

    “Some swings were fine, some swings were a little awkward,” Roberts said before Monday’s game. “But I think for me it was more that we didn’t feel like he was going to be compromised and he was going to play.”

    The main question remains how effective will the presumptive National League MVP be with the bat in his hands while playing through discomfort?

    In his first 13 playoff games of his career, Ohtani went 13-for-50 (.260) with three home runs, 10 RBI, 13 runs, 12 walks and 19 strikeouts. In the World Series, he goes 1-for-9 with a key double and a run in Game 1 of the Dodgers’ extra-inning victory and two strikeouts.

    “I think it’s definitely an advantage that we have him in the batter’s box,” Roberts said. “Regardless of what limitations a pitcher may think he has or doesn’t have, not many guys are willing to take that opportunity. I just expect him to control the strike zone, let the at-bats come to him, and swing and swing.” shooting when the ball is in a strike zone”.

    Roberts noted that the injury could take less of a toll since it is the left or back shoulder of the left-handed designated hitter. He’s not the only Dodgers player playing with some degree of discomfort.

    Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman is playing with a badly sprained ankle but has been the star of the World Series so far, with a walk-off grand slam in Game 1 and another solo home run in Game 2.

    Check back here for updates during Game 3.

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