Los Angeles Dodgers missed their two‑way ace in Friday night’s opening day against the Baltimore Orioles. Manager Dave Roberts listed Ryan Ward as the designated hitter, while Shohei Ohtani was absent, the club saying he was away on paternity. The move left the lineup unchanged until less than an hour before play.

Behind the decision, Ohtani’s 32‑year‑old wife Mamiko Tanaka and their newborn daughter entered fatherhood last April. The superstar, who revealed the pregnancy on social media in December 2024, keeps his family private, rarely sharing photos. His absence therefore coincides with both a personal celebration and an offseason break. It also means the team will miss his dual threat for the weekend.

Roberts faced a tight window to finalize the roster. Asked before the game, he said he was “working out some things with position players” and avoided mentioning Ohtani’s knee soreness. He noted the player had not spoken to him Friday, hinting that the return is expected after the off day for the upcoming series.

With Ohtani absent, the Dodgers must rely on their bench depth to chase the Orioles. The decision underscores how personal milestones can ripple through a team’s evening strategy. Fans will watch to see if the lineup shift affects the Dodgers’ early season momentum, especially as they chase a .500 record in the upcoming month of play.