Ohtani leading off for Dodgers in World Series Game 3 after dislocating shoulder

Shohei Ohtani was in his regular leadoff spot as the Los Angeles Dodgers' designated hitter for Game 3 of the World Series on Monday night, two days after the star slugger partially dislocated his left shoulder.

"If you keep the best player in the game in the lineup, that's usually good for your team," Dodgers infielder Max Muncy said. "Having him in there, obviously it's a big guy to have in there. It helps a lot. He's had some big moments for us, and we're obviously expecting a couple more big moments out of him."

Seeking their eighth title and second in five years, the Dodgers lead 2-0 in the best-of-seven series. Walker Buehler starts Game 3 for Los Angeles against Clarke Schmidt at 8:08 p.m. ET.

Muncy said Ohtani informed teammates late Saturday night he would be available this week in New York.

"He texted the whole team as we were on our way to the airport and said he was going to be fine, and that's it. He said he was going to play, so we all put it to the side at that moment," Muncy said. "We said, all right, he's got us. We'll be ready for him to be in the lineup."

Ohtani got hurt sliding into second base when he was caught stealing to end the seventh inning of Saturday night's 4-2 victory in Game 2 at Los Angeles.

He clutched his left forearm after being tagged by shortstop Anthony Volpe on a feet-first slide. Ohtani laid near the bag for a couple of minutes before being tended to by athletic trainers and leaving the field.

"Obviously, it was very tough in the moment to see him in pain like that," Muncy said. "We were two innings away from winning that ballgame. We knew we had to refocus. Obviously, it sucks seeing Sho in that kind of pain, but we still had a job to do in the moment.

"After the game we all