Is Ohtani fit for Game 3 or a Dodgers’ ploy to keep Yankees guessing?

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The Dodgers got a boost of optimism regarding Shohei Ohtani’s availability for Game 3 of the World Series, with manager Dave Roberts expressing confidence Sunday in the star player’s condition ahead of Monday’s game in New York. According to the latest assessments, Roberts said Ohtani was in “excellent” shape.

While Roberts noted he hadn’t yet received specific medical test results, he cited updates from the training staff and Ohtani’s own positive feedback as indicators. Roberts expressed trust in the MLB superstar’s ability to gauge his physical readiness, implying that Ohtani’s judgment would play a key role in Monday’s final decision.

“I think that he’s obviously very well aware of himself and his body, so if he feels good enough to go, I see no reason why he wouldn’t be in there,” the Dodgers manager said.

Dodgers’ Ohtani mystery deepens before Game 3

Ohtani’s game status won’t be fully determined until his evaluation on Monday, but the team’s concern was evident after an incident in Game 2 on Saturday. Attempting to steal second base in the seventh inning, he was thrown out and stayed down after an awkward slide, showing visible discomfort in his left arm from the impact. As medical staff escorted him off the field, Dodger Stadium’s lively atmosphere suddenly quieted. Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal later reported that Ohtani’s shoulder was the source of the injury.

The extent of Shohei Ohtani’s injury became more apparent thanks to Fox Sports’ field microphones, which picked up remarks from Japanese-speaking observers noting that he indicated a possible dislocation in his left shoulder. Ohtani left Dodger Stadium immediately following the game, but initial reports offered by manager Dave Roberts aimed to calm concerns. Roberts described the injury as a minor shoulder subluxation, though he withheld further specifics.

The injury came as the Dodgers led 4-1—a lead they held to secure a 4-2 win and a 2-0 lead in the World Series. News of a less severe injury reassured fans and the baseball community, given both Ohtani’s landmark World Series debut and the game’s high TV ratings. The series moves to New York for Game 3 on Monday.

The mishap occurred on an attempted steal, showcasing a risky yet electrifying part of Ohtani’s game that flourished during his first season with the Dodgers. He evolved from an athletic but inconsistent base-stealer into one of MLB’s most formidable threats, finishing with 59 steals on 63 attempts—a first in a historic 50-50 season. But postseason numbers reveal a downturn, with Saturday’s attempt only his second steal effort in the playoffs.

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