Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani Announces Marriage in Instagram Post

The notoriously secretive Shohei Ohtani dropped a surprise on Instagram by announcing he recently got married:

"To all my friends and fans throughout, I have an announcement to make:

"Not only have I began a new chapter in my career with the Dodgers but I also have began a new life with someone from my Native country of Japan who is very special to me and I wanted everyone to know I am now married .I am excited for what is come and thank you for your support."

Ohtani also wrote the message in Japanese, with ESPN.com noting he said his new wife is from Japan and he would reveal more in an interview on Friday.

The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar also asked to refrain from "conducting unauthorized interviews."

ESPN noted when news of Ohtani's marriage broke in Japan, it "immediately" became the top story on local television.

Despite being the biggest star in MLB—and a massive celebrity in his home country—Ohtani has been very deliberate about how much of himself he reveals publicly. He had elbow surgery in September that will prevent him from pitching in 2024, but no specifics about the type of procedure have been made available.

During his six-season stint with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani's press conferences were generally reserved for games he started as a pitcher. There was intense speculation around his free agency, but he was able to break the news of his agreement with the Dodgers on Instagram.

Ohtani made his spring-training debut with the Dodgers on Tuesday. He hit a two-run homer in a 9-6 victory over the Chicago White Sox. The two-time AL MVP's next appearance will be on Friday when the Dodgers take on the Cleveland Guardians.