In a star-based World Series, Shohei Ohtani's absence would be diminished

LOS ANGELES — Actually, it's too early to panic, too early to form an opinion. If the Los Angeles Dodgers' initial diagnosis regarding Shohei Ohtani proves correct, he could be in the lineup for Game 3 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium on Monday night.

Still, the injury Ohtani suffered to his left shoulder Saturday night cast a shadow over Dodger Stadium, calming the raucous crowd and creating an unease that plagued a team that has gotten nowhere in the series' two games , rarely experienced.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani was suffering from a subluxation, a condition that occurs when the ball at the top of the humerus only partially comes out of the socket, as opposed to complete dislocation, which is the case with a dislocation is.

If that's all, it shouldn't be a big deal, especially in the short term. Roberts said Ohtani's strength is great and his range of motion is good. But he warned that the Dodgers wouldn't know more until Ohtani undergoes an MRI. Experienced fans understand that the diagnosis only matters once the doctors review the scans. And given the Dodgers' injury history, no one should expect Ohtani to take the lead on Monday night at Yankee Stadium.

Ohtani's absence for even one game would weaken a series built on stars, from likely MVPs Ohtani and Aaron Judge to superstar right fielders Mookie Betts and Juan Soto to another likely Hall of Famer, Freddie Freeman, and a prospect, Giancarlo Stanton. The series also features the two highest-paid pitchers overall: Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Gerrit Cole. Yamamoto, who made his World Series debut Saturday night, allowed just one hit, a home run off Soto, in 6 1/3 innings.

The focus, however, is Ohtani. He suffered his injury Saturday night, sliding into second base on an attempted steal in the seventh inning with the Dodgers leading 4-1. He was clearly in pain, rolling around on the dirt, then slowly got to his feet and before an athletic trainer helped him off the field and supported his left arm.

Ohtani is slow to come back after trying to grab second place. pic.twitter.com/T3Af5GRaiw

– FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 27, 2024

For a recent comparison, consider Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres, who has reportedly suffered at least four subluxations in 2021. Tatis initially did not undergo surgery because he believed his shoulder was stable. But in September 2022, he changed course while serving an 80-game suspension for using a banned performance-enhancing substance. Doctors repaired the labrum in his left shoulder. Tatis recovered until his reinstatement in April 2023. He played 141 games that season.

Could Ohtani eventually suffer the same fate? Maybe if he endures repeated subluxations. Treatment for shoulder instability includes both nonsurgical and surgical options, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Ohtani, of course, is still recovering from major surgery on his right elbow and expects to be pitching again in 2025. But even after stealing 59 bases as a full-time designated hitter this season, he will almost certainly limit his attempts once he returns to the mound, thereby reducing the wear and tear on his body.

If Ohtani misses time during the series, the Dodgers can adjust by moving Betts to the leadoff spot and making Freeman their DH. Max Muncy could move from third base to first base and Kiké Hernández could play third base. Roberts could round out his infield with a combination of Gavin Lux, Tommy Edman and Miguel Rojas, with Andy Pages serving as center on days when Edman replaces Rojas on short notice.

Not a bad player choice, even though Freeman is playing with a severe right ankle sprain and Rojas needs sports hernia surgery this offseason. Ohtani was just 1 for 8 in the first two games of the series, his only hit being a double off Yankees reliever Tommy Kahnle in Game 1. But obviously he's an integral part of the Dodgers' offense.

After recording ten hits in 22 plate appearances in the Division Series, Ohtani broke out in the National League Championship Series with a .364 batting average and a 1.185 OPS. With runners in scoring position, he was an absolute terror in the postseason, going 15-for-22 in those situations.

With or without Ohtani, the Dodgers are in a great position. The only way they could lose the series is if they lose four of the next five games – not out of the question as the series moves to New York for Games 3, 4 and 5 (if necessary), but not very likely either . The Yankees have their own issues, most notably the performance of likely MVP Aaron Judge, who is batting .150 in the postseason with a .605 OPS and 19 strikeouts in 50 plate appearances.

The Dodgers being the Dodgers, they would use any Ohtani absence as a rallying point. Betts missed nearly two months this season with a broken left hand. Freeman was away for 10 days while his son Max, 3, struggled with Guillain-Barré syndrome, and later missed time because of a broken finger and his ankle problems. And lest we forget, the Dodgers also placed 12 different starters on the injured list.

No one should paint this team as an underdog, especially when their estimated $325 million payroll is right behind the New York Mets. The Dodgers used their financial power to build exceptional depth. So while their roster is somewhat depleted, it's strong enough that the club is just two wins away from its first World Series title since 2020 and its first in a full season in 1988.

Ohtani's continued presence would further boost the Dodgers' chances, and his return for Game 3 seemed entirely possible, at least the way Roberts meant it. By now we've all learned that it's foolish to underestimate Ohtani. Seriously, would anyone be surprised if he came back to hit the game-winning home run and then defied the Dodgers' insistence that he wouldn't pitch again this season by making the game-winning save?

Okay, that's asking a bit much. Let's just hope Ohtani stars in the series again. Every time he misses, baseball's greatest spectacle in years is diminished. And as his past injuries have shown, every day he's out is a worse day for the sport.

(Top photo of Shohei Ohtani leaving the field in Game 2: Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)