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Shohei Ohtani on paternity leave as Dodgers host Orioles
Shohei Ohtani missed Friday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles at Dodger Stadium because he was on paternity leave for the birth of his second child. The Dodgers did not place him on the official paternity list and said he would return over the weekend. Manager Dave Roberts expected Ohtani to be back for Saturday’s lineup. The team won the Friday game 6‑5. Ohtani announced the birth on Instagram, thanking fans and sharing a photo of the newborn in a blue blanket, which led to speculation that the baby is a boy. The series continues with the Dodgers favored by betting odds and predictions, while the Orioles‑Dodgers matchup draws little fan buzz according to local commentary. Additional coverage notes Ohtani’s earlier knee inflammation, which was cleared before his brief absence.