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Shohei Ohtani return update: When Dodgers star is expected back from paternity leave following birth of second child
Shohei Ohtani missed Friday’s Dodgers game against Baltimore to be with wife Mamiko Tanaka as they welcomed their second child.
With Shohei Ohtani absent from the lineup for Friday’s matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Baltimore Orioles, fans were quick to speculate about the reason behind his absence, raising concerns over whether the superstar was dealing with an injury or simply being given a day off.
It was later revealed that the Japanese superstar missed the game to be with his wife Mamiko Tanaka as the couple awaited the arrival of their second child.
Ohtani welcomes second child
In the early hours of Saturday, Shohei Ohtani took to Instagram to share the joyful news of his second child’s birth.
He posted a heartfelt message that read: “We are once again overjoyed to experience this wonderful day in our lives together. Thank you for being born safely.”
Ohtani also thanked those who supported him and his wife throughout the journey to parenthood.
In the post, he wrote, “We would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported us throughout this journey,” signing the message with both his and his wife’s names.
The second slide of the Instagram post featured a touching image showing the newborn’s tiny feet.
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Tanaka's pregnancy had largely remained private until speculation began to grow after Ohtani was absent from the Los Angeles Dodgers' game against the Baltimore on Friday.
Ohtani’s probable return timeline
While the Dodgers edged the Orioles 6-5 without their superstar, many fans will be eager to see Ohtani back in the lineup as soon as he returns from paternity leave.
Although the Dodgers did not initially place Ohtani on the paternity leave list—a move that could have sidelined him for up to three games, the team later clarified the situation in a social media statement.
The club wrote, “Shohei Ohtani is away from the team on paternity. He is expected to be back at some point this weekend.”
What manager Dave Roberts said on Ohtani
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also told reporters that he expected Ohtani to rejoin the team during the weekend series against the Orioles, with a return as early as Saturday remaining a possibility, according to Reuters.
Roberts also shared that he had learned about the pregnancy only shortly before Ohtani's absence, telling reporters he found out “only recently, very recently” that the couple was expecting a child.
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After celebrating the safe arrival of his second child, the 31-year-old could be set to return to action when the Dodgers face the Orioles again on Saturday, providing a boost to Los Angeles after his brief absence on paternity leave.
