Shohei Ohtani is out of the lineup Friday night against the Orioles. He’s not hurt and he’s not resting for strategic reasons. The Dodgers superstar is on paternity leave after his wife Mamiko gave birth to their second child, according to the team’s social media account.
This is the second kid for Ohtani and Mamiko since they welcomed their first child in April 2025. He’s 31 now and in the middle of what might be the best season any player has ever had. Ohtani is legitimately in the MVP conversation and the Cy Young conversation at the same time, which is ridiculous when you think about it. He’s doing things in the National League that haven’t been done since the days of two-way legends, and he’s making it look almost routine.
A historic first half for Ohtani
Through the first half of the season, Ohtani has been on an absolute tear at the plate and on the mound. His pitching numbers are elite and his batting stats are among the best in the league. He’s striking out batters at a ridiculous rate while also hitting home runs that seem to leave the park in a hurry. The Dodgers have leaned on him heavily, and he’s delivered night after night.
But even a superhero needs a couple days off for real life. The Dodgers expect Ohtani back this weekend, likely Saturday or Sunday, depending on how things go with the new addition to the family. It’s not a long absence. It’s just a quick break to be with his wife and kids.
Dodgers lineup adjustments
Without Ohtani in the lineup, the Dodgers will have to shuffle things around against a tough Baltimore team. Freddy Freeman is still there in the middle of the order, and Mookie Betts is the kind of player who can carry a game by himself. But losing Ohtani, even for one game, changes the dynamic. The Orioles probably don’t mind seeing him out of the dugout for a day.
The Dodgers are in a tight race in the NL West, and every game matters. But this is one of those situations where baseball takes a back seat. A guy’s family comes first, and that’s true whether you’re a two-way superstar or a bench player. Ohtani will be back soon enough, and when he returns, he’ll likely pick up right where he left off — dominating the league like it’s no big deal.
Paternity leave in MLB is typically one to three days. Ohtani is expected to use the minimum.
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