Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani Placed on Paternity List, Could Return During Rangers Series

The Los Angeles Dodgers are placing two-way star Shohei Ohtani on MLB's paternity list.

Manager Dave Roberts told reporters Friday the team activated outfielder Eddie Rosario to fill out their roster. Roberts said Ohtani may return by the conclusion of the three-game series with the Texas Rangers, which wraps up Sunday.

The reigning National League MVP announced in December he and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, were expecting their first child together.

MLB rules allow a player to remain on the paternity list for up to three days. Should Ohtani exhaust the full amount, he wouldn't return until L.A. opens a two-game set with the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday in the Windy City.

Rangers pitchers would probably prefer he take the entire weekend to be with his wife and newborn.

Ohtani is on pace for another monster season offensively. He has six homers, a .288/.380/.550 slash line, and his 21 runs scored are the most in the majors.

Rosario will provide some depth and give Roberts another left-handed bat over the next few days. The 33-year-old is coming off his worst season, having slugged .316 with the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves. But he's an experienced slugger who has two home runs and 12 RBI through 69 Triple-A plate appearances in 2025.