Dodgers news: Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, bullpen games

Since most of the baseball sphere focuses solely on a single series, there tends to be a lot of stories that come out, perhaps especially since this year's World Series is Dodgers vs. Yankees.

Here are a few more stories surrounding the Dodgers as we prepare for Game 4, which may or may not be the final game of the 2024 MLB season.

Shohei Ohtani downplayed his left shoulder injury after Game 3 on Monday. Dylan Hernández of the Los Angeles Times reported on this and the reaction from Ohtani's teammates that he could play. From Hernandez:

Asked if his injury would require offseason surgery, he replied: “I wonder. We haven’t really talked about that yet.”

Ohtani said he expects to be examined again after the World Series.

“At this point,” he said, “I don’t think it’s a problem.”

ESPN's Jeff Passan wrote about the period from Ohtani's injury Saturday night in Los Angeles to his game Tuesday night in New York. Inside that article was the text message Ohtani sent to his teammates who were on the bus to the airport Saturday night (he would be flying out to them on Sunday after his MRI):

“Nice game guys,” Ohtani wrote. “Last time, Bellinger’s shoulder was dislocated. This time my shoulder was dislocated. That’s a good sign for a world champion.”

Another Dodger due to injury this October is Freddie Freeman, who sprained his right ankle five weeks ago and has found his stride with three homers and a triple in the first three games of the World Series.

From Jayson Stark at The Athletic:

“I really don't think you have any idea what he's going through to be able to play here,” Kiké Hernández said. “This is starting to get some superhero shit.”

The Athletic's Eno Sarris looked back at the last 10 postseasons to examine the effectiveness, or lack thereof, of bullpen games in October. But he noted that the Dodgers have performed well in such situations thanks to the quality, going 6-3 in playoff bullpen games during that time.

Steve Henson for the Los Angeles Times tracked down the kid who caught Freeman's walk-off grand slam at Dodger Stadium on Friday.