Full Breakdown
Shohei Ohtani Steps Away for Birth of Second Child as Dodgers Adjust Roster
6/20/2026, 10:55:32 PM
Paternity Leave and Immediate Roster Impact
On Friday, June 19 2026, the Los Angeles Dodgers opened a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles without two-way star Shohei Ohtani in the lineup. The team’s X post confirmed Ohtani was “away from the team on paternity” and expected back “some point this weekend.” Because he was not placed on MLB’s official paternity list, the Dodgers entered the game with a man short, inserting rookie Ryan Ward as designated hitter and moving right fielder Kyle Tucker to the leadoff spot Ohtani normally occupies.
Background: First Child and Recent Injuries
Ohtani and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, welcomed a daughter in April 2025, a milestone he announced on Instagram while keeping the child’s name private. Since then, the pitcher-hitter has contended with a minor left-knee inflammation that forced him out of a game in early June and a recurring blister on the middle finger of his right hand, which has occasionally bled during play. Despite these issues, Ohtani pitched a six-inning start on Wednesday, June 12, before the paternity leave.
Key Figures: Shohei Ohtani, Mamiko Tanaka, and Dodgers Management
- Shohei Ohtani – 31-year-old two-way player, slated to turn 32 on July 5.
- Mamiko Tanaka – 29-year-old wife, who maintains a low public profile.
- Dave Roberts – Dodgers manager, who fielded questions about the lineup and Ohtani’s health.
- Los Angeles Dodgers – Organization that issued the paternity-leave notice and managed the roster adjustment.
Performance Metrics at Time of Leave
Entering the series, Ohtani held the second-highest OPS in the National League at .962, a .296 batting average, 15 home runs and 42 RBIs. On the mound, he posted a 7-2 record with a 1.47 ERA, ranking second among qualified NL pitchers. His recent workload included a blister-affected start and a knee inflammation that he attributed to mechanical stress.
Official Statements & Responses
The Dodgers’ official X message announced Ohtani’s paternity absence and anticipated weekend return. In a pre-game interview, Roberts said he was “working out some things with some position players” and later added, “just assuming that after the off day he’s in a good spot.” The organization emphasized that the leave was unrelated to injury and that Ohtani remained “in a good spot” health-wise.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts noted the team’s decision not to place Ohtani on MLB’s formal paternity list, which would have granted up to three days of paid leave and automatically opened a roster spot. The omission left the Dodgers short-handed for Friday’s game, prompting some observers to question whether roster considerations outweighed standard paternity-leave protocol.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the Dodgers framed the absence solely as paternity-related, other sources highlighted Ohtani’s recent knee inflammation and blister as possible contributors to his unavailability. No source provided a definitive statement linking the injury to the timing of the leave, leaving the precise cause of his Friday absence ambiguous.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Shohei Ohtani is away from the team on paternity. He is expected to be back at some point this weekend,” — Los Angeles Dodgers, X statement
- “To my daughter, thank you for making us very nervous yet super anxious parents,” — Shohei Ohtani, Instagram post
- “I would also like to thank the Dodgers organization, my teammates, and the fans for their constant support and kind words of encouragement,” — Shohei Ohtani, Instagram post
- “Just assuming that after the off day he's in a good spot,” — Dave Roberts, interview
What’s Next: Upcoming Games and Return Timeline
Roberts indicated Ohtani should rejoin the roster before the weekend’s second game of the series. The Dodgers will reassess the DH slot and leadoff order once he returns, while the team continues to monitor his knee and finger conditions ahead of the next rotation start.
