Overview
- The Dodgers announced late Friday that Ohtani was away from the team for the birth of his second child and did not appear in the lineup for the series opener against Baltimore.
- Ohtani and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, posted a joint Instagram message on Saturday confirming the birth while withholding the baby’s name and full images, showing only a photo of tiny feet in a blue blanket.
- The team said Ohtani is expected back this weekend, but reports vary on whether he was formally placed on MLB’s official paternity list, which would allow 1–3 days of paid leave.
- Manager Dave Roberts and club notes moved Kyle Tucker into Ohtani’s usual leadoff spot and used rookie Ryan Ward as the designated hitter for the game Ohtani missed.
- Ohtani enters the weekend in the midst of an elite two‑way season while managing minor issues such as knee inflammation and a pitching blister, and the Dodgers expect his short absence to have limited impact on the club’s near‑term plans.