NEW YORK – The entire Dodgers team, which was heading to the airport after Game 2 of the World Series, received a text message.

Shohei Ohtani wanted his teammates to know he would be okay after suffering a left shoulder subluxation, or partial dislocation, on a steal attempt in the Dodgers’ 4-2 win over the Yankees.

“He said he was going to play, so we all put it aside at that moment,” Max Muncy said. “We all said, ‘Okay, he’s got us. We’ll be ready for him to be in the lineup.'”

Less than 48 hours later, the Dodgers’ best-case scenario came true. Ohtani is in the lineup and bats leadoff ahead of Monday’s World Series Game 3 against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium at 8:08 p.m. The Dodgers lead the series 2-0.

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“If you keep the best player in the game on the roster, that’s usually good for your team,” Muncy said. “Obviously he’s a big guy to have there. He helps a lot. He’s had some big moments for us and obviously we’re looking forward to a few more big moments from him.”

Shohei Ohtani remained silent in five games

Ohtani was not displaying his usual strength as he continued to struggle with the discomfort of his injury.

After walking four pitches in the opening inning, Ohtani came up blank in his next three at-bats. He dropped the ball, shot the ball and got into foul territory.

In the ninth inning, Ohtani reached base for the second time and was hit by a pitch but was thrown out as part of an inning-ending double play. Ohtani kept his left arm tight against his chest to limit movement as he ran.

Shohei Ohtani nursed his left arm throughout the opening inning

Yankees starter Clarke Schmidt did not force Ohtani to swing at bat in the opening inning of the game.

Schmidt threw four straight balls to the Dodgers DH, allowing him to get first base. Ohtani was clearly uncomfortable when he got there, constantly clutching the collar of his jersey with his left hand while at first base.

Ohtani, who wore a bandage on his arm during pregame introductions, came in to score when Freddie Freeman’s cutter that Schmidt threw over the right field wall gave the Dodgers an early 2-0 lead.

How effective can Shohei Ohtani be?

Ohtani participated in a workout with the Dodgers on Sunday in the Bronx, including dry innings, tee hitting and batting practice.

Manager Dave Roberts was encouraged by what he saw.

“Some of the hits were good, some of them were a little uncomfortable,” Roberts said before Monday’s game. “But from my perspective it was more that we didn’t feel like he was going to be on the line and play.”

The question is how effective the player thought to be the National League MVP will be while playing through discomfort with a bat in his hand.

Through the first 13 playoff games of his career, Ohtani went 13-for-50 (.260) with three home runs, 10 RBIs, 13 runs scored, 12 walks and 19 strikeouts. In the World Series, he is 1-for-9 with a key double and a run and two hits in Game 1 of the Dodgers’ extra-inning win.

“I definitely think having him in the batter’s box is an advantage for us,” Roberts said. “Whatever limitations a pitcher thinks he may or may not have, not many players are willing to take that chance. I expect him to just control the strike zone, get strikes to come to him, and swing and swing while the ball is in the strike zone.”

Roberts noted that for a left-handed hitter, the injury may be less damaging because it is a left shoulder or hamstring. He’s not the only Dodgers player playing with an apparent condition.

Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman is playing with a badly sprained ankle but has been the star of the World Series so far with a walk-off grand slam in Game 1 and another solo home run in Game 2.

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This article was first published on NorthJersey.com: Shohei Ohtani injury news: How is the LA Dodgers star playing with his shoulder injury?