Tokyo International News Agency

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani has been placed on the paternity list to attend the birth of his second child with his wife, Mamiko. The club officially announced the move on June 20, 2026, and Ohtani was omitted from the starting lineup for that day's game against the Baltimore Orioles. According to the Dodgers' announcement, Ohtani has temporarily left the team to be with Mamiko and is expected to rejoin the team "sometime this weekend." Major League Baseball has a deeply rooted culture of prioritizing family events and childbirth, and the team is fully supporting Ohtani's parental leave. Following the happy news, fans took to social media to shower the couple with congratulations, leaving comments such as, "Congratulations on the birth of your second child!" "Wishing for a safe delivery!" and "It's wonderful how much he values family time." Additionally, some fans have been buzzing over Ohtani's famous "Lif...

On August 20 (Japan time), the Los Angeles Dodgers announced that superstar Shohei Ohtani has been placed on the paternity list, temporarily leaving the team. Ohtani was absent from the starting lineup for that day's game against the Baltimore Orioles and is expected to return this weekend. The move is believed to be to support his wife, Mamiko, with the birth of their second child, sparking both congratulations and a lively online discussion about men taking paternity leave. Following the team's announcement, social media was flooded with praise, with many highlighting how admirable it is for a global superstar to prioritize family. Many users commented that if someone as irreplaceable as Ohtani can take paternity leave, it should become the norm in regular workplaces as well. Others expressed hope that his actions would positively influence Japanese society, particularly for those who lacked the courage to request leave themselves. Major League Baseball (MLB) has a well-estab...