In the seventh inning of Game 2 of the World Series, the Dodgers beat the Yankees 4-2. Shohei Ohtani injured his left shoulder while sliding into second base during a failed steal attempt. Despite this, manager Dave Roberts assured ESPN that Ohtani is “in a great spot and will be playing in Game 3 tomorrow.”
The Dodgers are relieved as they head to the Bronx with a 2-0 series lead. However, there’s always a chance that Ohtani could face more issues with his shoulder. If he does miss any games in what’s left of the 2024 World Series, it could pose challenges for L.A.
Ohtani’s absence would be significant since he had an amazing regular season, hitting .310/.390/.646 with 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases. He made history with MLB’s first-ever 50-50 season and led in several categories like OPS+ and total bases. Fans might worry about how much they’ll miss him if he’s out again .
Possible Adjustments:
If Ohtani can’t play due to his shoulder injury, there are two scenarios: either he misses some games but returns later or he’s out for the rest of the series, prompting a roster change. In case he misses just one game, Roberts might use Freddie Freeman as DH to ease his workload due to an ankle issue while Max Muncy moves from third base to first base and Enrique Hernández takes over at third.
Alternatively, if Ohtani’s injury is serious enough for a roster change, they might call up another left-handed hitter like Kevin Kiermaier or James Outman. The Dodgers have been known for their deep bench over recent years; even without Ohtani, they have strong players who can step up.
With their current lead in the series—winning two games before New York can win four—the odds are heavily in favor of L.A., especially since teams starting at home with such leads often win more than 80% of these matchups historically.
As we wait for Game 3 and beyond, what do you think? Will Ohtani make it back into action soon?
