Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hit a home run off the field when he found love with wife Mamiko Tanaka.
Although it’s unclear when they started dating, Ohtani announced in February 2024 that he had officially tied the knot.
“Not only have I [begun] a new chapter in my career with the Dodgers but I also have [begun] a new life with someone from my Native country of Japan who is very special to me and I wanted everyone to know I am now married,” he shared in an Instagram post. “I am excited for what is to come and thank you for your support.”
After making their red carpet debut at the Dodgers Foundation Blue Diamond Gala in May 2024, the couple shared that they are expecting their first baby together.
“Can’t wait for the little rookie to join our family soon!” Ohtani wrote via Instagram in December 2024 alongside a picture of a pink onesie, white baby shoes, a sonogram and their dog, Decoy.
Keep scrolling to learn more about Ohtani and Tanaka’s relationship:
February 2024
Ohtani revealed that he had tied the knot with someone from Japan, but he did not share her name or when they got married.
“We are still young and [there are] many things we don’t know yet, but we hope you will warmly watch over us,” he wrote in Japanese in an Instagram post at the time. “We hope that the two of us (and one dog) will work together to support each other and move forward alongside with our fans.”
March 2024
A couple weeks after announcing their marriage, the duo made their social media debut after the Dodgers X account posted a picture of Ohtani with his arm around a woman who was later identified as his wife, Tanaka.
“Wheels up to Seoul,” the Dodgers account wrote alongside the photo.
May 2024
The couple made their red carpet debut at the Dodgers Foundation Blue Diamond Gala.
September 2024
According to a video shared by Dodgers Nation via X, Tanaka was seen celebrating with Ohtani and their dog, Decoy, on the field after the team won the NL West. The Dodgers later went on to win the 2024 World Series.
December 2024
Ohtani and Tanaka took to social media to share that they are expecting their first child, a baby girl.
April 2025
The Dodgers star shared via a heartwarming Instagram post that he and Tanaka welcomed a daughter to “the Ohtani family” on April 19.
“I am so grateful to my loving wife who gave birth to our healthy beautiful daughter,” Ohtani wrote via Instagram. “To my daughter, thank you for making us very nervous yet super anxious parents.”
He continued, “I would also like to thank the Dodgers organization, my teammates, and the fans for their constant support and kind words of encouragement. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to all the medical professionals and everyone who dedicated their support to us, up until this wonderful day.”
October 2025
Ohtani shared how Tanaka reacted after he was trolled by fans of the Toronto Blue Jays during Game 1 of the 2025 World Series.
“It was a really great chant, and my wife really appreciated it,” Ohtani said through team interpreter Will Ireton during a team workout at Dodger Stadium on October 26.
Ohtani was serenaded by chants of, “We don’t need you!” during multiple at-bats throughout Game 1, a reference to the baseball superstar choosing to sign with the Dodgers instead of the Blue Jays during the 2023 free agency period.
