David Chao, MD
2 min read • October 28, 2024
Posted in
In-game reports at our very own sicscore.com indicated that Shohei Ohtani suffered a subluxation to his shoulder, raising concerns about a potential labral tear. While Ohtani is not a position player and serves exclusively as a hitter, this injury still poses significant challenges. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts commented, "If he feels good enough to go, I see no reason he wouldn’t be in the lineup," but this cautious statement falls short of a full endorsement of Ohtani's availability.
The nature of Ohtani’s batting mechanics complicates the situation. He loads his bat high by his ear, which places added stress on the back shoulder—the injured shoulder. While a back shoulder injury is generally less problematic than a front shoulder issue, it still impairs his ability to generate power at the plate. Given these circumstances, expecting Ohtani to play at an MVP level is unrealistic.
If Ohtani is cleared to play, he may still be among the Dodgers’ top nine hitters, but he will likely not be the dominant force he was prior to this injury. With the possibility of offseason surgery looming, his swing and effectiveness could be limited, affecting the Dodgers’ lineup dynamics in critical moments.
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Written by David Chao, MD
