Los Angeles — Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way star, missed a scheduled game after being removed from the lineup shortly before first pitch because his baby was born, the team confirmed. The Dodgers initially listed his absence as due to “personal family matters” before later clarifying that the birth of his child was the primary reason he was unavailable. The news spread quickly after the official roster announcement and has dominated sports and entertainment coverage throughout the morning, underscoring Ohtani’s status as one of the most closely followed figures in baseball. The timing of the birth comes during a critical stretch of the 2026 season, in which Ohtani has been central to the Dodgers’ performance and a constant focus of media attention. The Dodgers proceeded with the game without their marquee player, while teammates and the organization expressed full support for his decision to prioritize family. Fans worldwide have flooded social media with congratulatory messages for Ohtani and his family. Reporters and photographers gathered at team facilities and local hospitals after the confirmation, as the team and family requested privacy on details such as the baby’s name and gender and did not disclose an expected return date.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.