Shohei Ohtani announced on Saturday that he and his wife, Mamiko TanakaThey 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 photo of baby clothes, an ultrasound and the couple’s dog, Dekopin.
The announcement comes about 10 months after Ohtani revealed that he and Tanaka, a former professional basketball player in Japan, got married last offseason.
It also closes out what was a year of change for the two-way star, who in 2024 changed teams for the first time in his MLB career after signing a 700 million dollar contract with the Dodgers last offseason.
Despite not being able to pitch while recovering from revision Tommy John surgery, Ohtani helped make a difference. The Dodgers’ run to a World Series titlewinning his third career MVP award after orchestrating his first Season of 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in MLB history.
Ohtani is expected to resume full-time two-way duties next season; although his return to the mound will likely be delayed until after Opening Day following surgery last month to repair a torn labrum he suffered in the World Series.
Now, he will also take on fatherhood duties in 2025, with a baby on the way.
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This story originally appeared on Los Angeles Times.