Ohtani hurts shoulder in G2, set for more testing
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Alden Gonzalez, ESPN Staff Writer
LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani suffered a subluxation of his left shoulder during an attempted steal of second base Saturday night, potentially putting his availability for the rest of this World Series in jeopardy.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, though, were “encouraged,” manager Dave Roberts said after a 4-2 win over the New York Yankees at Dodger Stadium gave his team a 2-0 lead in this best-of-seven series.
Initial strength and range-of-motion tests came back positive, Roberts said. Ohtani, whose injury is defined as a minor dislocation, was expected to undergo an MRI on his shoulder Sunday.
The Dodgers boarded their flight to New York late Saturday night, but Ohtani is expected to undergo his examination in Los Angeles and then fly out to New York to meet the team. The Dodgers will play Games 3, 4 and, potentially, 5 from Yankee Stadium on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Asked if he believed the Dodgers were equipped to sustain the loss of Ohtani — given how they have overcome injuries to other key hitters, including Mookie Betts, Max Muncy and, most recently, Freddie Freeman — Roberts said: “I’m not there. I’m expecting him to be there. I’m expecting him to be in the lineup.”
Ohtani, who did not sit out any games because of injury this season, was tagged out on the steal attempt at second base to end the seventh inning and was slow to get up, rolling on the ground while grabbing his left arm. When he was finally helped to his feet, Dodgers assistant athletic trainer Yosuke Nakajima held the superstar’s left arm as the two disappeared into the clubhouse.
Ohtani did not speak to reporters postgame, though he departed without wearing a sleeve on his shoulder.
“The whole stadium went silent,” Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez said of watching Ohtani go down. “You know how big Shohei is for this team. Hopefully he’s OK and the day off tomorrow will help him get back on the field on Monday.”
Despite an excellent first half to the season, Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi wasn’t selected as an All-Star this year, but the team made sure that he’ll be paid like one.
Despite the snub, Eovaldi was given the $100,000 All-Star bonus in his contract by the Rangers after he posted a 1.58 ERA with 94 strikeouts over 91 innings. Teammate Jacob deGrom, who was selected as an All-Star, also received a $100,000 bonus.
Eovaldi, in his 15th major league season, would lead the majors in ERA, but after missing a month due to a triceps injury, he fell six innings short of the necessary 97 innings to qualify among leaders for individual statistical categories.
Eovaldi, a two-time All-Star, won his third straight game on Sunday to improve to 7-3, giving up five hits and a run with eight strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings against the Houston Astros.
The right-hander ranks second only to Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal among MLB starting pitchers in WHIP (0.85) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.71). Opposing batters are hitting a paltry .194 with a .237 on-base percentage, .286 slugging percentage and .523 OPS against Eovaldi.
Eovaldi is scheduled to make his first start of the second half at home on Sunday against Skubal and the Tigers at Globe Life Field.
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