Superstar Shohei Ohtani was absent from the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup on Friday night, a disruption attributed to paternity leave, raising questions about transparency and established team protocols.
The team announced Ohtani's absence in a post on X, stating the two-way superstar is expected to return this weekend, indicating he was not placed on MLB’s paternity list. This immediate return expectation contrasts with typical paternity leave procedures.
Manager Dave Roberts expressed hope for Ohtani's return on Saturday but confirmed he had not spoken to the player directly regarding his status. This lack of direct communication from a key player to management is notable.
Roberts revealed he had only "very recently" discovered Ohtani was expecting another child, adding, "Keeping his privacy," while smiling. This statement suggests a deliberate withholding of information from team leadership regarding a significant personal event impacting team operations.
The team’s lineup for Friday’s series opener was released less than an hour before gametime, with Ryan Ward listed as the designated hitter batting seventh in Ohtani's place. The delayed announcement further highlights the unusual circumstances surrounding Ohtani's absence.
When questioned three hours before the game about the delayed lineup, Manager Roberts stated he was "working out some things with some position players" and made no mention of Ohtani's situation. This omission from the manager regarding a star player's status is a departure from expected transparency.
Roberts was also asked about Ohtani’s sore left knee, responding that he had not spoken to him Friday and was "just assuming that after the off day he’s in a good spot." This further illustrates a communication gap between the player and team management.
Manager Roberts "often mentions if a player is expecting a baby," and the team "typically announces when they have been placed on paternity leave." The current situation, where Ohtani's absence was announced via social media without a formal paternity list placement or prior managerial disclosure, deviates from these established team norms.
Ohtani, who will turn 32 on July 5, 2026, and his 29-year-old wife, Mamiko Tanaka, became first-time parents 1 year ago, in April 2025, with the birth of their daughter. This marks their second child.
Ohtani first announced on social media 1 year and 6 months ago, in December 2024, that the couple was expecting. His use of social media for such announcements, rather than direct team communication, underscores a preference for personal control over public information.
The player, described as "famously private," has "never publicly revealed her name" and has "carefully avoided showing her face in the rare family photos he posts to his social media." This consistent pattern of extreme privacy from a public figure impacts the team's ability to manage public relations and player availability transparently.
Elite Secrecy and Team Norms
The management of player information, particularly concerning personal life events that directly affect team operations, appears to be shifting. The deviation from the team's typical practice of announcing paternity leave and the manager's recent discovery of the news highlight a growing trend where individual privacy, even for high-profile figures, takes precedence over traditional institutional transparency. This dynamic, where a superstar's personal decisions dictate team announcements and managerial awareness, reflects a broader challenge to established organizational structures.
Managerial Deference
Manager Roberts' comments, including his "smiling" remark about "keeping his privacy," suggest a deference to the player's wishes regarding personal information. This approach, where a manager learns of a key player's significant life event "very recently" and then publicly commits to "keeping his privacy," indicates a power dynamic where the elite player's autonomy is prioritized. The absence of direct communication between Roberts and Ohtani on Friday, despite Ohtani's absence from the lineup, further exemplifies this deference.
Impact on the Roster
Beyond Ohtani's unannounced absence, Dodgers catcher Will Smith is also contending with a neck injury that has placed him on the injured list. Smith, a three-time All-Star, was initially expected to return this same week, on Friday. However, Manager Roberts has confirmed that Smith will not be activated this weekend and may not accompany the team on its road trip, which commences next week, on Monday, in Minnesota. Roberts stated that Smith underwent a scan and was scheduled to receive an injection to "minimize the sensation," noting, "He feels OK, not great." The manager emphasized the team's objective: "We’re just trying to make sure that we don’t have a setback when he comes back." Smith has continued engaging in baseball activities, including a full workout this same week, on Tuesday. The combined impact of Ohtani's private absence and Smith's ongoing injury creates significant roster challenges for the team.