Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his wife Mamiko Tanaka are expecting their first child. Ohtani shared the news through an Instagram post, expressing excitement for the new addition to their family.

The announcement was accompanied by a photo featuring Ohtani's dog, Dekopin, also known as Decoy. Ohtani had previously revealed his marriage to Tanaka in February, shortly after signing a significant 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers. In his announcement, Ohtani communicated the dual significance of his recent life changes, noting both his new chapter in baseball and the importance of his relationship with Tanaka.

Mamiko Tanaka, who played for the Fujitsu Red Wave in the Women's Japan Basketball League during the 2022-23 season, has made several public appearances alongside Ohtani, including attending the Dodgers' World Series victory parade in November. As Ohtani gears up for the new season, he looks to build on an impressive prior performance, having led Major League Baseball (MLB) with 134 runs and recording 130 runs batted in (RBI), which contributed to his second consecutive Most Valuable Player (MVP) award while helping the Dodgers secure the championship in 2024. Following elbow surgery in September 2023 and left shoulder surgery after the World Series, Ohtani is expected to return to pitching in time for spring training as the Dodgers prepare to defend their title.