Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani is away from the team for the birth of his second child, and he does not appear in the Dodgers’ lineup for the series opener against the Baltimore Orioles. Multiple outlets report that the Dodgers announce his absence as paternity leave ahead of the Friday night game. Ohtani’s status changes the following day: he returns to the lineup on Saturday after the birth, rejoining the team for the second game of the series. One report says he bats in his usual leadoff spot as the designated hitter. The coverage also indicates this is Ohtani’s second time taking paternity leave in the last two years, after the birth of his earlier child. Yahoo Sports reports Ohtani posts a statement on Instagram from him and his wife, Mamiko, following the birth. Overall, the reporting is consistent that Ohtani’s absence is tied directly to family circumstances, with the Dodgers adjusting his availability for the games against Baltimore.