Shohei Ohtani, center player of the Los Angeles Dodgers, suffered an injury to his left shoulder during the World Series, a fact that did not go unnoticed by both the team and fans alike. During Game 3 of the World Series held at Yankee, Ohtani had a subluxation – a condition characterized as a partial dislocation of an upper arm bone, specifically the ball at the top. The Dodgers’ manager, Dave Roberts, revealed this information during a post-match talk and while he seems to be confident that Ohtani will recover, the full extent of the injury remains unknown until an MRI has been conducted.
The significance of Ohtani’s injury is emphasized by the fact that his absence, even if it’s only for a game, could influence the entirety of the World Series. Ohtani is a pivotal part of the team, which also includes stars such as the potential MVPs Ohtani and Aaron Judge, superstar right fielders Mookie Betts and Juan Soto, and other essential players like Freddie Freeman and Giancarlo Stanton. Moreover, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Gerrit Cole, the two highest-earning pitchers, also revolve around Ohtani’s presence. An additional worry relates to the Dodgers’ history dealing with injuries which can cast shadows of doubt on any positive prognosis issued so far.
A similar case to Ohtani’s is found with Fernando Tatis Jr. from the San Diego Padres, who underwent four subluxations in 2021. Tatis only opted for surgery in 2022 after an imposed 80-game suspension for usage of a performance-enhancing substance. This enforced break allowed him enough recovery time and he was back to playing full capacity by April 2023, even appearing in 141 games that season. Ohtani’s case might potentially imitate Tatis’ depending on the frequency and intensity of the subluxations he could experience.
In case Ohtani won’t make it back to the field for the remainder of the Series, the Dodgers have thought about adjustments. They would move Betts to the leadoff spot, Freeman would become their designated hitter (DH), Max Muncy would move from third base to first, and Kiké Hernández would play third. The remaining infield would be filled up by some combination of Gavin Lux, Tommy Edman, and Miguel Rojas, with Andy Pages playing center on days Edman replaces Rojas at short. This line-up although solid, will still miss the offensive presence of Ohtani.
Ohtani’s performance on the field has been fantastic and influential for the team; he’s been highly effective in the postseason, especially with runners in scoring position. In spite of this setback, the remaining Dodgers’ team is in a powerful position, only needing two more wins to secure the title. Even if they lose four of the next five games, it’s not something to be overly concerned about with the Series shifting to New York for Games 3, 4, and 5. The current situation, where the Dodgers don’t rely solely on one star player for their fate, speaks volumes about the depth of their roster.
Even though the Dodgers have managed without key players in past games due to multiple injuries, Ohtani’s absence is still a possible concern. But the team’s $325-million payroll and extraordinary roster depth does allow a certain amount of cushion against potential losses. They remain strong contenders for the World Series title, which if won would be their first since 2020 in a full season, and the first overall since 1988. Despite the uncertainty, hopes are high that Ohtani will return to the field in the remaining Series to secure the victory for the Dodgers, much to the delight of their fans.
