In Game 2 of the World Series, held by Major League Baseball (MLB), Japanese star Shohei Ohtani was notably injured while attempting to steal second base in the seventh inning. After being tagged out, he didn’t immediately get up; instead, he lay on the ground in apparent pain and called for the trainer. Eventually, he stood up, visibly favoring his left arm, and slowly made his way off the field. Post-game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts mentioned that the team doctor’s initial assessment suggested a dislocated shoulder, but more detailed examinations will follow.
Dr. Chen Wen-hsiao, the chief orthopedic surgeon at New Taipei City Tucheng Hospital, emphasized the crucial role shoulders play for baseball players in hitting and throwing, stating, “The shoulder is a player’s lifeline.” He added that any injury could significantly impact a player’s professional career, making it a major concern for both the athlete and the organization.
After reviewing footage of the incident, Dr. Chen speculated that when Ohtani slid towards second base, his left shoulder appeared to be in a vulnerable position. However, he believed that such a maneuver should not typically result in a dislocation. Instead, a shoulder strain seems to be more likely. He acknowledged that there’s still a lack of concrete information regarding Ohtani’s condition, indicating that continuous observation and assessment of potential ligament injuries will be necessary.
Regarding the team’s perspective, Dr. Chen remarked that Ohtani’s arm health is crucial to the franchise’s prospects, suggesting they would proceed with extreme caution. If it turns out that Ohtani’s injury is not severe, there could still be an opportunity for him to participate in the rest of the championship series, though this would ultimately depend on the team’s decisions and plans.
Dr. Chen further explained that if the team concludes that Ohtani has indeed suffered a dislocation, the severity could vary, potentially involving ligament tears as well. The medical staff would assess for any ligament damage and the integrity of the bone structures. Additionally, they will observe whether the ligaments can heal on their own. Should surgical intervention be deemed necessary, particularly for ligament reconstruction, any player, regardless of the procedure, would need a period of recovery.
Typically, shoulder dislocations in athletes often occur due to collisions on the field. However, since Ohtani was injured during a slide without any contact from another player, Dr. Chen suspects the injury might not be severe. He noted, “From the footage, Ohtani’s expression indicated significant pain,” but it could also reflect his cautious attitude towards the injury, which prompted him to seek assistance from the medical team.
Source of the footage: YouTube@Brian Sutterer MD
