Los Angeles Dodgers fans breathed a sigh of cautious relief this weekend as two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani’s absence from the lineup finally gained clarity. The superstar, who missed back-to-back games against the Texas Rangers, is now poised for a swift return—but not for reasons tied to injury. As the Dodgers gear up for Sunday’s series finale, all eyes are on whether Ohtani’s brief hiatus will disrupt the team’s momentum in a critical early-season showdown.
Shohei Ohtani’s paternity leave nears its end
The mystery surrounding Ohtani’s absence was solved Saturday when Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed the slugger is on paternity leave, celebrating the birth of his daughter. Roberts assured reporters that Ohtani is expected back for Sunday’s game, quashing concerns about a physical setback. “He’ll rejoin us tomorrow,” Roberts stated, emphasizing the brevity of the leave.
Ohtani’s temporary departure opened the door for veteran Eddie Rosario, who stepped in as the designated hitter during the Rangers series. While Rosario held his own, his .217 average this season pales in comparison to Shohei Ohtani’s offensive firepower. The Dodgers’ lineup, already missing key contributors like Mookie Betts (rest), leaned heavily on role players—a gamble that paid off in a narrow 4-3 win Friday but faltered in Saturday’s 6-2 loss.
What Ohtani’s return means for the Dodgers
Ohtani’s comeback couldn’t be timelier. The Rangers, reigning World Series champions, pose a stiff test with their deep rotation and relentless bullpen. Ohtani’s presence restores balance to a Dodgers lineup craving his .298 average and 14 home runs this season. Defensively, his pitching availability remains on hold (he’s still rehabbing from 2023 elbow surgery), but his bat alone shifts the game’s dynamics.
Rosario, meanwhile, will likely return to Triple-A Oklahoma City once Shohei Ohtani is activated. The 32-year-old’s stint highlighted the Dodgers’ depth but also underscored their reliance on star power. With Ohtani back, Los Angeles can revert to its explosive offensive identity, crucial for maintaining their NL West lead.
Balancing personal milestones and team demands
Ohtani’s paternity leave sparks a broader conversation about MLB’s evolving support for players’ personal lives. The league’s paternity list allows up to three days off, a policy Ohtani utilized fully. His quick return mirrors teammate Freddie Freeman’s 2023 leave, which saw minimal disruption—a testament to the Dodgers’ roster flexibility.
For Ohtani, the timing is serendipitous. Fresh off becoming a father, he’ll step into a sold-out Globe Life Field, where Rangers fans still ache from his 2023 AL MVP heroics against their squad. The narrative writes itself: a rejuvenated Shohei Ohtani, fueled by personal joy, aiming to reignite his team’s spark.
While injuries have sidelined Ohtani in the past, this absence was a celebration, not a setback. His return Sunday offers more than a boost—it’s a reminder of the human element behind the highlights. For the Dodgers, the message is clear: their dual-threat icon is back, and the chase for October just got a whole lot brighter.