The latest on the Dodgers' plans for Shohei Ohtani in World Series Game 3

NEW YORK – After the Yankees' loss in Game 2 of the World Series last Saturday night in Los Angeles, Anthony Rizzo asked a reporter how Shohei Ohtani was doing after he finished a group interview at his locker room at Dodger Stadium.

There was serious concern about Ohtani's left shoulder injury, sustained while sliding into second base during a stolen base attempt.

It certainly wasn't a joy for the Yankees that a previously one-sided World Series could be turned around if their opponent's $700 million draft hitter was eliminated for the series.

“You hope he’s fit for the sport,” Rizzo said. “You want your best players on the field.”

In fact, the Yankees will likely get a lot more from Ohtani, who is expected to be in the Dodgers' lineup for Game 3 on Monday night at Yankee Stadium.

“That's my expectation, talking to the training staff and getting the reports,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.

Ohtani's injury is a partially dislocated left shoulder, which is far less severe than a fully dislocated shoulder.

Roberts said playing Ohtani would not risk further harm by playing, but there could be some discomfort.

“If it's a tolerance situation, I just can't imagine him not playing Game 3,” Roberts said. “I don’t think he will be compromised. It is the left shoulder, i.e. the back shoulder. So I don’t see how that affects his hitting ability if he’s able to walk.”

The Dodgers won the first two games of the World Series at Dodger Stadium. Games 3 and 4 will be played at Yankee Stadium, as will Game 5 if the Dodgers do not win the best of seven.

A final call for the Dodgers' Ohtani to be given the green light to start in Game 3 depends on what his MRI results show.

“There are doctors everywhere,” Roberts said. “I don't have it. That's more my opinion about the training staff.

Shohei feels good this morning, freedom of movement, strength.”

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Randy Miller can be reached at [email protected].