Playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers won’t be the only big change for Shohei Ohtani in 2024 and beyond.
On Thursday, the Dodgers superstar took to social media to announce he is now married.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 27: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on in the dugout during a game against the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch on February 27, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)Ohtani, who is famously private about his personal life, disclosed no details about his wedding or his new wife. The only thing we know is that she is Japanese. He likely wants her able to lead a normal life without the media pestering her, but it’s only a matter of time before her identity is revealed.
Ohtani wrote on Thursday on Instagram in Japanese: “The season is approaching but I would like to announce to everyone that I have gotten 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 said, adding “we hope that the two of us (and one dog) will work together to support each other and move forward alongside with our fans.”
He added that his spouse “is a Japanese woman” and stated in English that she is someone “who is very special to me.”
Knowing this, he added he would reveal more in an interview.
The 29-year-old moved from the Los Angeles Angels to the Dodgers in December on a record-breaking contract worth $700 million over 10 years.
Some Instagram followers were shocked with the news:
Ohtani is known for his two-way abilities but likely won’t return to the mound to pitch until 2025, according to the physician who performed his elbow surgery in September.
Shohei Ohtani won his second AL MVP Award with the Angels in 2023 with 44 homers and 95 RBI. He also posted a 10-5 record with a 3.14 ERA.
