Shohei Ohtani wasn't in the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup on Friday night because he is away from the team on paternity, the organization announced in a post on X. The two-way superstar is expected to return this weekend, meaning he wasn't placed on MLB's paternity list—a move that allows the Dodgers to maintain roster flexibility while managing the absence of their highest-paid player.
Manager Dave Roberts said after a 6-5 win over the Baltimore Orioles that he hopes Ohtani returns Saturday but he had not talked to him. Roberts said he found out very recently that Ohtani was going to be a father again and added, "Keeping his privacy," smiling. The team's lineup for Friday's series opener came out less than an hour before gametime, with Ryan Ward listed as the designated hitter batting seventh.
Late Lineup Announcement Raises Questions
Asked three hours before the game about the delayed lineup, Roberts said he was working out some things with some position players and made no mention of Ohtani. Roberts was asked about Ohtani's sore left knee and said he had not spoken to him Friday. "Just assuming that after the off day he's in a good spot," the manager said.
Roberts often mentions if a player is expecting a baby, and the team typically announces when they have been placed on paternity leave. The unusual timing and lack of advance notice reflected the intensely private approach Ohtani, who turns 32 on July 5, and his 29-year-old wife, Mamiko Tanaka, maintain regarding their family life.
Ohtani's Growing Family
Ohtani and Tanaka became first-time parents in April 2025 with the birth of their daughter. He first announced on social media in December 2024 that the couple was expecting. The famously private Ohtani has never publicly revealed her name and has carefully avoided showing her face in the rare family photos he posts to his social media.
Smith's Injury Complicates Roster Management
Dodgers catcher Will Smith is still dealing with a neck injury that has him on the injured list. The three-time All-Star was due to return Friday but Roberts said Smith won't be activated this weekend and may not travel with the team on its road trip that begins Monday in Minnesota.
Roberts said Smith had a scan and was going to have an injection to kind of minimize the sensation. "He feels OK, not great," the manager said. "We're just trying to make sure that we don't have a setback when he comes back." Smith has continued doing baseball activities, including a full workout Tuesday.
Why This Matters:
The Dodgers' management of Ohtani's absence and Smith's prolonged injury illustrates the challenge organizations face balancing player privacy and roster transparency. By not placing Ohtani on the paternity list, the team maintains maximum roster flexibility—a strategic decision that reflects the premium placed on competitive advantage in professional sports. Smith's extended absence, meanwhile, forces the team to rely on backup personnel during a critical stretch of the season, potentially affecting the club's performance and playoff positioning. For a franchise that has invested heavily in star talent, managing these disruptions efficiently becomes essential to protecting that investment and maintaining competitiveness in a demanding division race.