MLB Superstar Shohei Ohtani Welcomes Daughter... Photo of Baby's Foot Shared on Social Media

Ohtani Announces Birth of Daughter on Instagram
Takes Three-Day Paternity Leave to Be with His Wife

Shohei Ohtani, the 30-year-old superstar of Major League Baseball (MLB) and member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, has announced the birth of his daughter.

On April 19 (local time), Ohtani posted on Instagram, saying, "I am truly grateful to my lovely wife for giving birth to our healthy and beautiful daughter."

He added, "To my daughter, thank you for making us such worried parents." Ohtani also attached a photo of the newborn's sole to the post. He further expressed his gratitude to the Dodgers organization, his teammates, and the fans for their warm words of encouragement and constant support.

Major League Baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani and his wife Mamiko Tanaka. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

The Associated Press reported the news of Ohtani's daughter's birth under the headline, "It's a girl! The Dodgers' two-way star is now a dad." According to AP, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed the news of Ohtani's daughter's birth during an interview held at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas, during the MLB game against the Texas Rangers. Manager Roberts exclaimed, "Congratulations, Sho (Shohei)!" and said that he did not yet know the baby's name.

Photo of baby’s sole posted by Shohei Ohtani. Screenshot from Shohei Ohtani’s Instagram.

Ohtani surprised the public last February by announcing his marriage to Mamiko Tanaka, 28, a former Japanese women's professional basketball player. In December of the same year, he revealed that his wife was pregnant. As his wife's due date approached, Ohtani took paternity leave, drawing attention. Since MLB players can take up to three days of paternity leave, Ohtani is expected to return for the away series against the Chicago Cubs starting on April 23.

Ohtani, who is from Japan, has rewritten MLB history as a two-way player. Last year, he became the first player in MLB history to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. This season, before his paternity leave, he played in 20 games, posting a batting average of .288 (23 hits in 80 at-bats), with 6 home runs and 8 RBIs. After undergoing elbow surgery in September 2023, Ohtani stopped pitching and played only as a hitter, but began pitching training again at this year's spring camp.