For Shohei Ohtani, playing in Game 3 of the World Series was the ‘obvious thing’

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28, 2024: Los Angeles Dodgers two-way prospect Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts. — Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after being hit Monday during Game 3 of the World Series against the New York Yankees. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

When Shohei Ohtani left Dodger Stadium on Saturday night to undergo an examination for a partially dislocated shoulder, Miguel Rojas sent him a text message wishing him a happy birthday. In response, Ohtani sent Rojas a song.

The song was about Ohtani.

“A fan made a song for him,” Rojas recalled with a laugh.

The veteran shortstop played the song on the Dodgers bus en route to Los Angeles International Airport.

“Everyone really liked this song,” Rojas said.

Ohtani also made sure to post in the players-only group chat that he would be available to play when World series resumed two days later at Yankee Stadium.

“I didn’t want to lower the team’s morale,” Ohtani said in Japanese.

Ohtani kept his promise and the Dodgers kept their October magic alive by claiming victory 4-2 over the New York Yankees in Game 3 on Monday night to extend their series lead to three games to none.

Ohtani was in obvious pain.

He grimaced as he swung the bat.

He created a makeshift sling to protect his injured arm while he was on base, clutching the collar of his gray road uniform.

He wore a brace that kept the joint warm between plate lugs.

However, his contribution to the victory was more than symbolic. He started the game by drawing a four-pitch walk off Yankees starter Clake Schmidt. He scored a goal later in the round later Freddie Freemana two-run home run.

Ohtani was eliminated in the third round, but Tommy Edman he advanced to second base on the play, which allowed Edman to score on a single Mookie Bets.

Ohtani reached base again in the ninth inning when Yankees closer Luke Weaver grazed his back foot with a cut fastball.

Although Ohtani revealed himself in the game, he maintained his typically cautious demeanor during his postgame press conference.

He wouldn’t even admit that he was suffering.

“I don’t remember much of what happened during the bat attacks,” Ohtani said. “I don’t know to what extent my face shows that it hurts or not, but I didn’t think much of it.”

Asked if it hurts more to swing the bat or run the bases, he paused for a moment, then replied, “When I play, I don’t think about whether it hurts or not, so I play with the feeling that I’m not hurt.”

He said that when he was injured while caught stealing second base in the seventh inning Dodgers won Game 2his initial concern was to stay on the bag.

“I thought I was safe,” he said.

Ohtani downplayed his effort in the game.

“Preparing for the game is the obvious thing,” he said.

Shohei Ohtani stands on the bench during the third inning of Game 3 of the World Series. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Pointing out how Freeman was struggling with a sprained ankle, Ohtani explained that he simply did what many of his teammates did.

“Not everyone always plays in the best conditions,” he said. “There are a lot of players who play with pain.”

If anything, Ohtani said he was grateful he injured his left shoulder instead of his right because he suspected that hurting his front shoulder would have made his hitting more difficult.

“I think it’s a blessing in disguise,” he said.

Ohtani played with his arm taped. He said he ran the basics with his hand to his chest because “if I slip and my left arm makes the same movement as when I got injured, in my current condition it could dislocate again.” So this had to be prevented.”

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

Ohtani said he expects to be re-examined after the World Cup.

“At this stage,” he said, “I don’t think it will be a problem.”

While Ohtani maintained a calm façade, his teammates were clearly uplifted by his presence.

“I’m really glad he’s OK,” Betts said. “The most important thing is that he’s OK. His presence in the squad is so huge.”

To Betts’ point: Whether with a partial shoulder dislocation or not, Ohtani scared Schmidt to start the game on four pitches.

“Shohei is a player who got his first chance to play in the playoffs, and it would be really hard to see him fall before we see him do something really special,” Rojas said. “He deserves to be in the squad.”

Roberts said he would be “there” for Game 4.

This story originally appeared on Los Angeles Times.