Key Takeaways
- Shohei Ohtani was absent from the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup on Friday night because he is “away from the team on paternity.”
- The Dodgers announced via X (formerly Twitter) that Ohtani is expected to return this weekend and was not placed on MLB’s official paternity list.
- Manager Dave Roberts said he had not spoken to Ohtani about his sore left knee and was working out lineup adjustments with other position players, listing Ryan Ward as the designated hitter batting seventh.
- Ohtani and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, welcomed their first child—a daughter—in April 2025; the couple announced the pregnancy in December 2024.
- Despite his global fame, Ohtani remains intensely private, never revealing his wife’s name publicly and avoiding showing her face in the rare family photos he shares on social media.
Los Angeles Dodgers fans were greeted with an unexpected note in the Friday night lineup: Shohei Ohtani’s name was missing. The club confirmed later that evening, via a post on X, that the two‑way superstar was “away from the team on paternity” and anticipated to rejoin the squad sometime this weekend. Importantly, the Dodgers did not add Ohtani to Major League Baseball’s formal paternity list, a procedural step that would have guaranteed him a set number of days off while preserving his roster status.
When asked about the delayed lineup release—which came less than an hour before first pitch—manager Dave Roberts offered a vague explanation, saying he was “working out some things with some position players” and declined to mention Ohtani by name. Roberts also addressed concerns about Ohtani’s sore left knee, noting that he had not spoken to the slugger that day and was simply assuming the off‑day had left him in good shape. The manager’s reticence left room for speculation, though the subsequent X post clarified the family‑related reason for the absence.
The Dodgers’ starting lineup for the series opener against the Baltimore Orioles reflected the adjustment. Ryan Ward was tabbed as the designated hitter and placed seventh in the batting order, a spot typically reserved for a power‑hitting presence. Ward’s insertion underscores the depth the Dodgers possess, allowing them to absorb the temporary loss of a player of Ohtani’s caliber without scrambling for a last‑minute replacement.
Ohtani’s paternity leave marks a personal milestone for the Japanese star, who turned 32 on July 5. He and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, welcomed their first child—a daughter—in April 2025. The couple had shared the exciting news publicly in December 2024 when Ohtani posted on social media that they were expecting. Since then, the slugger has kept details about his growing family closely guarded, a stance consistent with his overall approach to privacy.
Indeed, Ohtani’s reluctance to share personal information extends beyond the birth announcement. He has never revealed his wife’s name in interviews or press releases, and the few family photos he does post to his Instagram or Twitter accounts deliberately obscure her face. This careful curation of his private life contrasts sharply with the relentless public scrutiny that accompanies his on‑field exploits, reinforcing his reputation as one of the most enigmatic figures in modern sports.
From a competitive standpoint, Ohtani’s temporary absence forces the Dodgers to reconsider how they deploy their versatile roster. As a two‑way player capable of both pitching at an elite level and delivering middle‑of‑the‑order power, his removal from the lineup creates a tactical void that Ward and others must fill. While Ward offers solid contact and occasional power, he does not replicate the unique threat Ohtani poses as a hitter who can also take the mound later in the game. The Dodgers may opt to lean more heavily on their bullpen or adjust pitching schedules to compensate for the loss of Ohtani’s occasional starting appearances.
The reaction from fans and media has been largely supportive, with many lauding the organization for respecting Ohtani’s need to be present for his newborn. Paternity leave, while still a relatively novel concept in MLB compared to other professions, is gaining traction as players increasingly prioritize family commitments. Ohtani’s situation mirrors recent high‑profile cases where stars have taken short breaks for childbirth, signaling a shifting cultural norm that values work‑life balance even among the sport’s highest earners.
Looking ahead, the Dodgers anticipate Ohtani’s return sometime this weekend, which would coincide with the continuation of the series against the Orioles. His potential reappearance could revitalize the middle of the order and provide an extra arm for manager Roberts to call upon in high‑leverage situations. Additionally, any lingering concerns about Ohtani’s left knee will be monitored closely; the manager’s earlier comment about assuming the player is in a good spot after the off‑day suggests the team views the soreness as manageable rather than alarming.
In sum, Shohei Ohtani’s brief paternity‑related absence offers a glimpse into the personal side of a global superstar who continues to navigate the demands of elite athletics while embracing fatherhood. The Dodgers’ composed handling of the situation—communicating the reason, adjusting the lineup without panic, and affirming an imminent return—demonstrates both organizational depth and respect for the player’s life beyond the diamond. As Ohtani prepares to rejoin his teammates, fans can look forward to witnessing how he balances the joys of parenthood with the pursuit of further historic achievements on the field.