Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani returned to the starting lineup on Saturday, June 20, 2026, one day after missing a game to welcome his second child.
Ohtani and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, announced the birth on Instagram Saturday morning.
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The post featured an image of the infant's hands and feet wrapped in a blue blanket beside a stuffed toy of his dog, Decoy.
“We are again overjoyed to experience this wonderful day in our lives together,” the couple wrote. “Thank you for being born safely.”
The couple's first child, a daughter, was born in April 2025.
Ohtani was absent from Friday's series opener against the Baltimore Orioles, which the Dodgers won 6-5.
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The team released its lineup later than usual before clarifying that Ohtani was away on paternity leave.
He did not require a stint on the paternity list and resumed his role as leadoff designated hitter on Saturday.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he had not spoken directly with Ohtani but assumed both mother and baby are healthy.
Roberts confirmed Ohtani remains on track to start on the mound Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins. This season, the 31-year-old is batting .
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296 with 15 home runs and 42 RBIs, and has a 1.47 ERA with 78 strikeouts over 73 2/3 innings.
