Shohei Ohtani has confirmed wife Mamiko Tanaka has given 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 to their first 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 together, with the couple welcoming a 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 daughter.
The LA Dodgers superstar wrote on Instagram: ‘Welcome to the Ohtani family! I am so grateful to my loving wife who gave 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 to our healthy beautiful 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 daughter.
‘To my daughter, thank you for making us very nervous yet super anxious parents.
‘I would also like to thank the Dodgers organization, my teammates, and the fans for their constant support and kind words of encouragement.
‘I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to all the medical professionals and everyone who dedicated their support to us, up until this wonderful day.’
Ohtani was absent from the Dodgers’ series opener against the Texas Rangers on Friday after manager Dave Roberts revealed he had been placed on MLB’s paternity list.
Shohei Ohtani has confirmed wife Mamiko Tanaka has given 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 to their first 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 together
The 30-year-old, who lives a very private life away from baseball, stunned the world last year when he revealed he was married to Tanaka – a 28-year-old former professional basketbal player from his native Japan – in a shock Instagram post.
‘I began a new chapter in my career with the Dodgers, but I also have started a new life with someone from my native country of Japan who is very special to me,’ Ohtani said on social media in February.
The baseball sensation then posted in late December that he and Tanaka were expecting a 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 in 2025.
Ohtani can miss up to three games while on paternity leave. The Dodgers’ three-game series in Texas finishes on Sunday, before they visit the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday.
Roberts said before their second outing against the Rangers that the two-way phenomenon could return to his lineup as early as Sunday.
Ohtani, who helped the Dodgers win the World Series in 2024, is one of the highest-paid baseball players on the planet after signing a record 10-year, $700m deal with the team last year.
Ohtani only unveiled his wife last year after revealing in February 2024 that he had got married
The 30-year-old is the second highest-paid player in baseball on a 10-year, $700m contract
And he is enjoying another impressive season so far in 2025 after hitting .288 with six homers and eight RBIs.
The three-time MVP has also stolen five bases this year, having produced a 59-steal year in 2024.
Earlier this week, Ohtani also left fans in awe when he was seen carrying out a selfless act mid-game for the Dodgers.
In a clip shared by MLB reporter Dan Clark on X, the LA hero can be seen heading to a water cooler to make eight drinks during their game against the Colorado Rockies.
Remarkably, though, Clark claimed that none of the drinks in question were for himself – with all eight of them for his teammates.
