MLB News: Shohei Ohtani away from Dodgers for birth of first child

Shohei Ohtani, the talented two-way superstar for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is about to become a dad. The 30-year-old athlete was away from the team for the birth of his first child on Friday. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Ohtani was with his wife and on MLB’s paternity list before the team’s series opener against the Texas Rangers.

“He and Mamiko are expecting at some point. That’s all I know,” Roberts said. “I don’t know when he’s going to come back, and I don’t know when they’re going to have the baby, but obviously they’re together in anticipation.”

Ohtani shared the news of his impending fatherhood on his Instagram account in late December. In a post, he revealed that he and his 28-year-old wife, a former professional basketball player from Japan, were expecting a baby in 2025. The post featured a photo of the couple’s dog, Decoy, along with a pink ruffled onesie, baby shoes, and a sonogram covered by a baby emoji. Ohtani expressed his excitement, saying, “Can’t wait for the little rookie to join our family soon!”

As per MLB rules, Ohtani can miss up to three games while on paternity leave. The Dodgers had a three-game series in Texas before an off day on Monday, followed by a game against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Jackson Thompson, a sports writer for Fox News Digital, provided this coverage. With previous experience at ESPN and Business Insider, Jackson has covered major sporting events like the Super Bowl and NBA Finals. He has also interviewed sports icons such as Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, and Mike Trout.

Stay tuned for more updates on Shohei Ohtani’s journey into fatherhood and his return to the Dodgers after this special moment in his life.