Shohei Ohtani pitches and bats in Dodgers' home game after second child is born

Shohei Ohtani took the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers in a home game against the San Diego Padres, batting first and pitching as the team's #1 starter. The appearance marked his first home start since his wife announced the birth of their second child, and he entered the game with a 1.58 ERA and hopes for his ninth win and a 19th home run.

A recent schedule change moved Ohtani's start from an early‑season series to the Padres game, effectively removing him from consideration for the MLB All‑Star Game. The adjustment sparked a range of reactions from fans on social media, with some praising the decision to protect his health and others expressing disappointment at missing the All‑Star showcase.