Ohtani's Growing Family
Dodgers Star Shohei Ohtani and Wife Welcome Second Child, Clarifying Paternity Leave
Key Points
In addition to the written statement, Ohtani and Mamiko posted an image of the newborn’s “tiny toes peeking out of a blue blanket,” while again withholding the infant’s sex and name.
The Dodgers also addressed Ohtani’s absence directly on social media ahead of the lineup decision, posting: “Shohei Ohtani is away from the team on paternity. He is expected to be back at some point this weekend.”
The lineup omission followed his recent knee-inflammation removal, but before the birth announcement was fully understood, the team’s Saturday/Friday context included that he was absent on paternity leave rather than injured—after reporters were waiting on Dave Roberts’ delayed lineup announcement.
Before Friday’s game, Ohtani’s on-field numbers were cited in detail: he ranked second in the NL in OPS at .963 (behind Juan Soto), with 15 homers, 42 RBIs and a .296 batting average, and on the mound had a 7-2 record and a 1.47 ERA.
Shohei Ohtani and his wife Mamiko Tanaka have welcomed their second child, the couple announced Saturday morning. The pair said they are "overjoyed" and thanked supporters for their privacy, according to USA Today. They shared an image of the newborn's tiny toes peeking out of a blue blanket — but did not reveal the baby's name or sex.
The birth came around midnight local time on Friday. It explained why Ohtani was scratched from the Dodgers' lineup that evening for their game against the San Francisco Giants. Manager Dave Roberts later confirmed the absence was paternity leave — not a flare-up of the knee inflammation that had worried fans earlier in the week, The News Tribune reported.
Blue Blanket Photo Sends Fans Into a Frenzy
Ohtani and Tanaka posted a joint statement on Instagram on Saturday morning. The image showed only the newborn's tiny toes wrapped in a blue blanket. They gave no other details about the child. The post quickly went viral. "Ohtani-san" and "Baby #2" became top trends on Japanese social media platforms, according to USA Today.
Ohtani has kept his family life unusually private. He surprised the world in February 2024 by announcing his marriage to Tanaka — a former professional basketball player — with no prior public hints of a relationship. Their first child was born in 2025 under similar secrecy. The couple withheld details then, too.
Knee Scare Turned Into a Paternity Leave Sigh of Relief
Before the birth was known, Ohtani's absence set off alarms. He had missed a pitching start earlier in the week with knee inflammation. When he skipped pregame warmups Friday and the lineup was delayed nearly an hour, reporters feared the worst. Then at 4:15 PM PT, the Dodgers posted on social media: "Shohei Ohtani is away from the team on paternity. He is expected to be back at some point this weekend," according to The News Tribune.
Roberts later told reporters: "We're just happy for Shohei and Mamiko. To have that news after the knee scare — it's a great day for the Dodger family." Under MLB's paternity leave rules, players can be away from the team for 24 to 72 hours. The Dodgers confirmed Ohtani was eligible to return for Sunday's series finale.
Ohtani Is Having One of the Best Seasons in Baseball
Ohtani's absence was felt. Before Friday's game, he ranked second in the National League in OPS — a stat that combines on-base percentage and slugging — at .963, just behind Juan Soto. He also had 15 home runs, 42 RBIs, and a .296 batting average, according to USA Today.
On the mound, he has been even better. His pitching record stands at 7–2 with a 1.47 ERA — one of the lowest marks in baseball. He signed a 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers in late 2023. His return to the lineup by Sunday or Monday is expected to give Los Angeles a major boost in a tight NL West race, per The News Tribune.
Privacy Remains the Ohtani Family's Defining Trait
ESPN analyst Jeff Passan called Ohtani's ability to keep major life events private "nothing short of miraculous" in the age of 24/7 social media. Despite being one of the most famous athletes in the world, Ohtani has never named either of his children publicly or allowed photos of their faces.
Japanese media outlets have praised the approach. They frame his secrecy as respect for his family's dignity and a "shokunin" — or craftsman — focus on baseball above all else. In the US, some columnists argue the privacy is a missed chance to connect with American fans. Either way, the tiny toes photo proved the world was paying very close attention.
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