Shohei Ohtani and his wife announce they are expecting their first child

Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times on Dec 29, 2024

Published in Baseball

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Shohei Ohtani announced Saturday that he and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, are expecting their first child.

"Can't wait for the little rookie to join our family soon!" Ohtani, 30, wrote in a post on Instagram, along with a picture of baby clothes, an ultrasound and the couple's dog, Dekopin.

The announcement comes about 10 months after Ohtani revealed he and Tanaka, a former professional basketball player in Japan, were married last offseason.

It also bookends a year of change for the two-way star, who switched teams for the first time in his MLB career after signing a $700 million contract with the Dodgers last offseason.

Despite being unable to pitch while recovering from surgery, Ohtani helped lead the Dodgers' run to a World Series title, winning his third most valuable player award after orchestrating the first 50-homer, 50-steal season in history.

Ohtani is expected to resume two-way duties next season, though his return to the mound likely will be delayed following surgery last month to repair a torn labrum he sustained in the World Series.

Now, he will be taking on fatherhood duties as well.