The Los Angeles Dodgers suffered a nightmare during Game 2 of the World Series when starman Shohei Ohtani exited the showdown with an apparent shoulder injury.
The two-way star, who signed a 10-year, $700 million contract in the offseason, was slow to get to his feet after he attempted to steal second base during the Dodgers’ 4-2 win over the New York Yankees.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed following the victory that Ohtani had suffered a left shoulder subluxation – a partial dislocation.
‘We’re gonna get some tests at some point tonight/tomorrow and then we’ll know more in the next couple of days,’ said Roberts in his postgame press conference. ‘The strength was great, the range of motion good, so we’re encouraged.’
With the Dodgers leading the Yankees 4-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning, Ohtani took off from first base in a steal attempt.
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani exited Game 2 of the World Series with a nightmare injury
The Japanese player was slow to get to his feet after he attempted to steal second base
He was ultimately thrown out by Yankees catcher Austin Wells, which ended the inning, but not before he awkwardly slid into second.
As players began to clear the field in preparation of the eighth inning, Ohtani remained on the ground clutching his left arm before signaling for assistance.
The Dodgers staff rushed onto the diamond where the Japanese star still lay near second base to tend to him.
Ohtani eventually got to his feet and appeared to be clutching his left arm as he was led off the field.
The 30-year-old walked toward the dugout with Dodgers assistant athletic trainer Yosuke Nakajima cradling his arm, before they disappeared into the clubhouse.
An eerie silence fell over Dodger Stadium as Los Angeles fans were stunned into silence at the horror. Spectators were seen with their hands covering their faces.
The Fox broadcast later reported that it appeared Ohtani had suffered an injury to his left shoulder.
The Dodgers hold a 2-0 series lead over their old foes after Freddie Freeman blasted them in front with a walkoff grand slam in a dramatic opening thriller Friday night and the hosts clung on in Game 2.
Ohtani took off from first base in a steal attempt before being thrown out by Austin Wells
The two-way star was slow to get up before he signaled for assistance from Dodgers dugout
The Dodgers stand just two games away from World Series glory after fending off a late New York rally to seal the win Saturday, as they head to the Bronx for Games 3 and 4 on Monday and Tuesday.
However, the loss of their talisman comes as a huge blow as the extent of Ohtani’s injury and a potential absence remain unclear.
Ohtani, who produced the first 50/50 season in history this season, is slashing .260/.403/.460 with three home runs but no stolen bases in 13 postseason games.
The Japanese superstar – and presumptive National League MVP – was 0 for 3 with a walk in the game.
He is 1 for 8 in the first two games of the Fall Classic and is batting .260 with three home runs and 10 RBIs in his first postseason in the majors.
Most of Ohtani’s injuries since coming to the majors in 2018 have been pitching related, including major operations on his right elbow in 2018 and last year. The two-way phenomenon has not pitched this year but became the first player in major league history with at least 50 homers and 50 stolen bases in a season.
Ohtani walked toward the dugout with Dodgers assistant athletic trainer Yosuke Nakajima
In September of 2019, he had surgery on his left kneecap due to a rare and congenital condition. The procedure was on his bipartite patella, or a two-part kneecap that didn’t fuse together at birth.
Ohtani missed the 2017 World Baseball Classic after having ankle surgery because of an injury he suffered during the 2016 Japan Series.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto allowed one hit over 6 1/3 innings, Freddie Freeman homered for the second straight night and the Los Angeles Dodgers hit three early longballs off Carlos Rodon to beat the Yankees.
Tommy Edman and Teoscar Hernandez also went deep for the Dodgers.
After the Yankees closed to 4-2 on Giancarlo Stanton’s RBI single in the ninth against Blake Treinen, Alex Vesia relieved with the bases loaded and retired pinch-hitter Jose Trevino on a first-pitch flyout for the save.
Ohtani disappeared into the clubhouse as an eerie silence fell over Dodger stadium
Yamamoto allowed Juan Soto’s third-inning homer, then retired his last 11 batters and 15 of his final 16.
Yamamoto joined the Dodgers last December for a $325 million, 12-year contract, a record for pitchers, teaming with Ohtani to create record interest in Major League Baseball back in Japan.
Soto also singled in the ninth and scored on Stanton’s one-out hit off the third-base bag. Jazz Chisholm Jr. singled and Anthony Rizzo was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Treinen then struck out Anthony Volpe before Vesia relieved.
Game 3 is Monday night at Yankee Stadium. Forty-five of 56 teams holding 2-0 World Series leads have gone on to win the title.
