Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani recently stepped away from the team to be with his family for the birth of his child. The two-way superstar missed a game against the Chicago Cubs on August 29, 2024, as he and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, welcomed their first child together. Contrary to recent, inaccurate reports circulating on social media regarding a "second child," this marks the couple’s first public announcement of a birth.
Why Ohtani Was Absent From the Dodgers Lineup
Shohei Ohtani was absent from the Dodgers’ starting lineup for their series finale against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium on August 29, 2024. According to MLB.com, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Ohtani was away from the team to attend to his growing family. The club supported the decision, noting that the privacy of the athlete and his wife was the priority during this personal milestone. Ohtani returned to the field shortly after, maintaining his historic pace in a season where he is chasing the first 50-home run, 50-stolen base campaign in Major League Baseball history.
Clarifying the Family Announcement
Public confusion regarding the number of children in the Ohtani family stems from a misinterpretation of recent social media discourse. While various outlets initially reported on the birth, official statements from the Dodgers organization and Ohtani’s representatives have only confirmed the arrival of one child. Ohtani, who has historically maintained a high level of privacy regarding his personal life, surprised the sports world in February 2024 when he announced his marriage to Mamiko Tanaka, a former professional basketball player in Japan, via his official Instagram account.
How This Affects the Dodgers’ Playoff Push
The Dodgers’ ability to manage player absences for family matters is a standard procedure under the current MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). According to the MLB Players Association, players are permitted to be placed on the paternity leave list for a minimum of one day and a maximum of three days.
This short-term absence allows the team to temporarily replace the player on the active roster without disrupting the long-term rotation. Ohtani’s brief hiatus did not impact his eligibility for the postseason, as the Dodgers continue to rely on his production in the middle of the order. His focus remains on securing a high seed for the National League playoffs, a goal that has defined the Dodgers’ 2024 season following his record-breaking $700 million contract signed in the off-season.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When did Shohei Ohtani get married? Ohtani announced his marriage to Mamiko Tanaka on February 29, 2024.
- How long was Ohtani on paternity leave? Ohtani missed one game on August 29, 2024, before returning to the lineup for the subsequent series.
- Is this Ohtani’s second child? No. Official reports confirm this is the first child for Ohtani and Tanaka.
- Does paternity leave affect his stats? No. Paternity leave is an excused absence and does not impact a player’s season statistics or awards eligibility.