Shohei Ohtani Wears Heating Device for Injury Before Dodgers' WS G3 Win vs. Yankees

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani played in Game 3 of the World Series on Monday, but it appeared like his shoulder was still bothering him.

Game 3 was the first home game of the series for the New York Yankees, so the starting lineups were publicly announced ahead of the first pitch. And Ohtani appeared to be wearing a sling to stabilize his left arm and shoulder area when he ran out of the dugout after his name was called:

However, Ohtani told reporters after a 4-2 win over the Yankees that he was wearing a heating device, not a sling, per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times.

The injury occurred during the seventh inning of Saturday's Game 2 when Ohtani attempted to steal a base. He slid into the bag and immediately grabbed at his arm before trainers came out to check on him.

He then exited the game and headed toward the clubhouse.

While Dodgers fans were surely worried, USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported Monday that Ohtani texted a group of teammates and assured them he was alright and would likely play in Monday's game.

That was the case, as he is in the lineup and batting leadoff for Los Angeles in its first road game of the World Series.

Ohtani's health was a major storyline coming into his first season with the Dodgers, as he did not pitch throughout the entire campaign following offseason elbow surgery. The two-way star is typically one of the league's best pitchers and hitters but was not healthy enough to take the mound in 2024.

He was still notably durable and appeared in a career-best 159 games.

The two-time MVP didn't just play in a career-high number of games, he thrived in them while slashing .310/.390/.646 with 54 home runs, 130 RBI and 59 stolen bases. He will likely take home the third MVP of his illustrious career.

If all goes well in the rest of the Fall Classic for his side, he will also take home a World Series trophy.