Shohei Ohtani’s Brief Break from the Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani was notably absent from the Dodgers' lineup on Friday night against the Baltimore Orioles, with the team citing paternity leave as the reason. Though listed as active, he is expected to return later this weekend.

The two-time MVP arrived at the stadium at his usual pregame time, but the Dodgers delayed announcing their starting lineup. Manager Dave Roberts later explained the delay stemmed from "working through some things with some position players," adding that he had not yet spoken with Ohtani about the absence.

When questioned about potential health concerns, Roberts firmly dismissed any medical issues as the cause.

Ohtani, who welcomed his first child—a daughter—in April 2025, has kept her identity private, sharing only the birth announcement on social media without revealing a name or photos.

This isn’t the first challenge for the star player this season. He missed a game last week due to left knee inflammation, and his training staff is now monitoring him closely. Adding to the concerns, a blister on the middle finger of his right hand bled during his most recent start, raising further questions about his readiness.

The situation remains fluid, with updates expected as the weekend progresses.