Concerns seemed to fade, and Los Angeles Dodgers players were all smiles at Yankee Stadium as they prepared for Game 3 of the World Series. Shohei Ohtani is expected to play on Monday night, despite suffering a partially dislocated left shoulder.

Ohtani sustained the injury while sliding into second base during a stolen base attempt, ending the seventh inning of the Dodgers’ 4-2 win over the New York Yankees in Game 2. His availability for this week had been in question, leaving fans and teammates wondering if he would be able to take the field.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed confidence that Ohtani would be in the lineup for Game 3. “I just don’t see him not playing Game 3,” Roberts said ahead of Sunday night’s workout. “If he feels good enough to go, then I see no reason why he wouldn’t be in there.”

Ohtani did not initially travel with the team to New York, as he stayed behind for imaging tests. He later flew separately to join the team.

“As far as test results, we’ve got doctors scrambling everywhere. I don’t have them,” Roberts explained. “I’m going by what the training staff says, and Shohei was feeling good this morning, with good range of motion and strength.”

Ohtani was scheduled to arrive at the stadium in time for the team’s 6 p.m. workout. Roberts noted that Ohtani had already taken some dry swings and was set to hit off a tee and take batting practice in an indoor cage.

“That will be the real test,” Roberts said. “He still has to get through the workout and swing the bat, but he’s feeling better today than yesterday, and we’re optimistic that he’ll feel even better tomorrow.”

Roberts acknowledged that while the injury causes pain, it comes down to how much Ohtani can tolerate.