Shohei Ohtani is reportedly set to take paternity leave, and the update has quickly become a major talking point for Dodgers fans as the team prepares for an important matchup against the Baltimore Orioles.
The news surfaced through a report attributed to Dodgers insider Fabian Ardaya. According to the update, Ohtani is going to step away from baseball duties for the birth of his child and to spend time with his family during that period. The announcement is being treated as breaking news because it directly affects the Dodgers’ immediate plans, including the roster decision for the game.
Ahead of the Dodgers’ game against the Orioles, Ohtani was left out of the lineup. That omission is notable because Ohtani is typically one of the Dodgers’ most central figures both offensively and in the way the team structures its day-to-day approach. When a player of his stature is absent, it usually signals that something significant is happening, whether it’s health-related, personal, or otherwise. In this case, the reported reason is personal and family-related: paternity leave.
For Dodgers fans, the timing is especially important. The matchup versus the Orioles arrives with the expectation that the Dodgers will be fielding their best available lineup. Ohtani’s absence could shift how the team attacks the opposing pitching staff and could also influence the batting order and game plan. Without him in the lineup, the Dodgers will need to rely on other players to fill the offensive production and key responsibilities that Ohtani normally carries.
While the report indicates that Ohtani is taking paternity leave, it does not necessarily change the overall view of his readiness for future games beyond the immediate absence. However, any departure from the lineup is something teams manage carefully, particularly for star players. The Dodgers will likely adjust training and preparation during his time away and then plan a return based on how the leave develops.
Ohtani’s absence also underscores how the league and teams manage players’ personal circumstances. Major League Baseball players, like anyone else, occasionally step away for family events, and teams coordinate with them to ensure their responsibilities and well-being are supported. In practical terms, the roster decision is reflected right away: Ohtani is not included in the lineup for the game that is happening tonight against the Orioles.
From a game-planning perspective, the Dodgers now face the Orioles without one of their marquee talents. That means the Dodgers’ manager and coaches will need to reorganize matchups and ensure that the lineup still maintains balance across the order. Depending on where Ohtani typically bats and the roles he normally plays in the team’s batting strategy, his absence could lead to a domino effect—other players may slide into his spot, changes may occur in the batting order, and the team may adjust which hitters are favored against the Orioles’ starter.
For the Orioles, Ohtani’s absence changes the dynamic of the matchup as well. Teams normally prepare with the assumption that opposing stars will be in the lineup, especially someone with Ohtani’s influence on pitch selection and defensive preparation. With him out, the Orioles may see fewer high-leverage at-bats for Dodgers hitters who aren’t typically given the same opportunities.
Beyond the immediate game, the larger story here is how quickly the Dodgers’ situation can evolve when a player of Ohtani’s importance steps away for a family reason. Fans and analysts will likely look for additional information about the timeline of his leave and when he might be available again. Until then, tonight’s lineup and how the Dodgers perform without him will become the immediate focus.
Overall, this update is a clear and direct personnel change: Shohei Ohtani is reportedly going on paternity leave, and he has been left out of the Dodgers lineup for their game versus the Orioles tonight. The report was shared by Dodgers reporter Fabian Ardaya.
Source: Fabian Ardaya
Dodgers Nation: BREAKING: Shohei Ohtani is going on paternity leave, per @FabianArdaya 🚨 Ohtani was left out of the Dodgers lineup for their game tonight vs the Orioles.. #breaking
— @DodgersNation May 1, 2026