The Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani faces limitations in Game 3 of the World Series against the Yankees

NEW YORK — Dodgers phenom Shohei Ohtani texted his teammates as they headed to the airport in New York after Game 2 of the World Series. Moments earlier, Ohtani had winced in pain after sliding into second base and dislocating his right shoulder.

Ohtani wanted to reassure his teammates that he was “going to be fine,” Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy said before Game 3 at Yankee Stadium.

It served its purpose.

“We said, all right, he’s got us,” Muncy said. “We will be prepared for him to be in the lineup.”

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“He was adamant he was going to play,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I saw him swinging in the cage last night, he looked really good and strong. The ball came off the bat.

“I think there was more uncertainty for all of us, but he had it in his head from day one, from Saturday night, that he was going to play.”

Ohtani is actually in the lineup for Game 3 against the Yankees. Roberts revealed that there will be some limitations for the two-time MVP Award winner as he takes over.

The first issue Ohtani will face is with his swing. Although he doesn't feel any pain – Roberts explains it more as “discomfort” – his swing lacks consistency.

As Roberts watched Ohtani swing in the cage, he noted that “some swings were fine (and some swings were a little uncomfortable”).

This could mean that MLB's premier 50-50 player could be at risk at the plate.

The second problem Ohtani faces concerns the base paths. Ohtani's injury occurred when he stole second base in the seventh inning. It was his second attempt this postseason and likely his last.

“I don’t think he’ll run,” Roberts said.

While Ohtani is back, there are fears he could re-injure his shoulder. While his injury is classified as a shoulder subluxation, Roberts revealed that his shoulder actually needed to be reinserted.

Another concern for the Dodgers is that this type of injury carries the risk of recurrence. But Dodgers reliever Brent Honeywell doesn't think losing Ohtani would kill his team's chances.

“He’s a really good player, don’t get me wrong,” Honeywell said. “But if he couldn’t have gone today, we have people who can.”