Shohei Ohtani placed on paternity list as he awaits first child

Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani stays in Los Angeles as wife Mamiko prepares to give birth.

Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers and his wife Mamiko Tanaka sit in the stands to watch the Lakers face the Portland Trail Blazers at Crypto.com Arena on December 8, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Gina Ferazzi/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Shohei Ohtani was placed on Major League Baseball’s paternity list on Friday, as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ superstar and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, await the arrival of their first child. The move allows Ohtani to be away from the team for up to three days, and it comes as the Dodgers head to Texas for a weekend series against the Rangers.

The Shohei Ohtani paternity list designation means the reigning National League MVP will miss at least part of the three-game series, though Dodgers manager Dave Roberts left open the possibility that Ohtani could return by Sunday. However, Roberts admitted he did not know for certain when the 30-year-old would rejoin the team.

“He and Mamiko are expecting at some point, that’s all I know,” Roberts told reporters. “I don’t know when he’s going to come back.”

Ohtani’s absence has been described by many fans and analysts as a well-earned break, particularly given the personal milestone he’s about to reach. The Japanese sensation revealed in January via Instagram that he and Mamiko were expecting their first child, sharing a photo of their dog Decoy next to a pink baby onesie — a rare glimpse into the player’s private life.

Dodgers move forward without Ohtani in Texas

While Shohei Ohtani’s paternity list placement removes him from the Dodgers’ active roster temporarily, the team will look to continue its strong start to the season in his absence. Through the team’s first 20 games, Ohtani has already launched six home runs and been a steady presence in the lineup.

Off the field, he is also continuing his rehabilitation following his second elbow surgery, a process that has kept him off the mound but hasn’t diminished his impact as a designated hitter. Ohtani has made it clear that he intends to pitch again, though that won’t happen until at least 2025.

“He’s a very good compartmentalizer,” Roberts said, referring to how Ohtani manages his many responsibilities as both a hitter and a pitcher. “But he loves his sleep. It’ll be interesting to see how the sleep wins out or doesn’t win out when you have a baby.”

That light-hearted comment from the manager reflects the excitement surrounding Ohtani’s next chapter — not just as an athlete, but as a father.

A historic contract and a new chapter in life

Ohtani signed a record-breaking $700 million contract with the Dodgers in December, marking one of the most significant deals in baseball history. Just weeks later, in February, he revealed that he had married, choosing to keep the identity of his wife private until early March, when he shared that she was Mamiko Tanaka, a former professional basketball player in Japan.

Their low-profile relationship caught fans by surprise, especially given Ohtani’s status as one of the most recognizable athletes in the world. But his decision to protect their privacy was respected by many in both the U.S. and Japan.

The news that the couple is now expecting has added a new dimension to Ohtani’s off-field story, showing a more personal side to a figure who has become known as much for his humility and focus as for his extraordinary athletic talent.

What the paternity list means for the Dodgers

Under MLB rules, players can be placed on the paternity list for a minimum of one day and a maximum of three days. The list is designed to give players time to be with their partners during childbirth without significantly impacting the team’s roster flexibility.

In Ohtani’s case, the timing of the series in Texas and the short duration of the list could allow him to miss just one or two games — or possibly return for Sunday’s series finale, depending on the baby’s arrival.

The Dodgers have not disclosed a specific timeline or any further details about the birth, citing the family’s privacy.

For the team, losing Shohei Ohtani to the paternity list briefly is more than manageable given their roster depth, but it does highlight the unique challenges that come with building a lineup around a superstar who fills multiple roles.

Fans react with support and congratulations

As news of Ohtani’s absence spread, social media lit up with congratulatory messages from fans around the world. Many praised the Dodgers and MLB for giving players space to prioritize their families, especially during life-changing moments like the birth of a child.

“Congratulations to Shohei and Mamiko!” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Family always comes first. Can’t wait to see him back and smashing home runs again.”

Others expressed excitement at the prospect of a “baseball baby,” joking that Ohtani’s child might be the most athletically gifted kid on the planet, given the baseball star’s unique skillset and Mamiko’s athletic background.

A new season of change

As the Dodgers continue their regular season without Ohtani for now, attention will soon return to his play on the field. But the few days away will allow one of baseball’s brightest stars to celebrate something far more meaningful: becoming a father.

The journey into parenthood is often life-altering, even for celebrities and athletes. For Ohtani, who has spent his entire career balancing intense training, global attention, and high expectations, this may be a rare chance to slow down and experience a different kind of joy.

While fans await his return — and the possibility of seeing him back in the lineup before the Rangers series ends — the mood remains celebratory.

After all, even for a man who hits 450-foot home runs and strikes out All-Stars with ease, welcoming a child is a whole new level of greatness.