Shohei Ohtani sparks internet buzz after taking paternity leave for first child

Modified Apr 19, 2025 05:35 GMT

Mamiko Tanaka, Shohei Ohtani's wife, carries their dog Decoy during the World Series celebration at Dodgers Stadium (Source: Getty)

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced on Friday that Shohei Ohtani will be on paternity leave as he expects his first child soon. The 30-year-old married former basketball player Mamiko Tanaka sometime during the offseason ahead of the 2024 season and made it public only after the wedding ceremony was over.

While it is unclear when and where Shohei Ohtani and Mamiko Tanaka first met, the Los Angeles Dodgers star first revealed that he got married in February 2024, refusing to reveal the identity of his wife. However, he revealed Mamiko's identity through an Instagram post one month later.

The couple announced that they were expecting their first child together in December last month. With Ohtani's paternity leave now confirmed, fans took to social media to share their reactions:

While thousands of congratulatory messages have flooded the internet, here are some humorous reactions from fans:

While it is not certain how long Shohei Ohtani will be out of action, he can be on the paternity list for up to three days, meaning he'll miss this weekend's series against the Texas Rangers.

If he chooses to spend more time with his family, Ohtani will have to be transferred to the restricted list after three days.

Dodgers replace Shohei Ohtani with Eddie Rosario during paternity leave

Soon after placing Shohei Ohtani on the paternity list, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced that they have selected outfielder Eddie Rosario's contract. Rosario, 33, has been on a minor league contract with the Dodgers since February and was playing with Triple-A Oklahoma before the promotion.

Rosario spent the 2024 season with the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals. He hit .175 with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs in 91 games.

The highlight of Rosario's MLB career came when he won the World Series with the Atlanta in 2021; he was also named the NLCS MVP that year.

About the author

Nishant Borooah is a journalist who has been reporting on baseball at Sportskeeda since 2023 and has a degree in Media Studies and Journalism.

Nishant is currently pursuing a diploma in Sports Marketing, and his interest in baseball was piqued early on by his father, who fell in love with baseball as a student in the US. His father used to regale him with stories about America's favorite pastime and they have left an impression on him.

Currently residing in Toronto, Nishant is a Blue Jays fan. revering Ichiro Suzuki growing up, Nishant remains in awe of the Japanese legend's longevity and sheer passion for the game. Suzuki's return to the Seattle Mariners in 2018 remains one of Nishant's favorite MLB moments.

One of Nishant's strengths is that he always covers the technical side of the story, and he is also particular about historical context to ensure articles are informative and easy to follow.

Besides being a writer, Nishant is also a soccer coach who has worked with several clubs in India like Shillong Lajong FC and RoundGlass Punjab FC.

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