Ohtani on paternity leave as Dodgers manage multiple injury updates
4 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 20, 2026, 2:20 AM
Last updated Jun 20, 2026
Shohei Ohtani is on paternity leave and expected to return this weekend, leaving the Dodgers short-handed. Catcher Will Smith requires more time after a clean medical scan and an injection for discomfort; he remains day-to-day. Teoscar Hernandez is nearing a rehab assignment, while Edwin Diaz is progressing with bullpen sessions. Blake Snell is close to starting bullpen work following surgery.
- •Ohtani is away from the team due to paternity leave.
- •Will Smith is not cleared for activation and remains day-to-day.
- •Teoscar Hernandez expected to begin rehab assignment next week.
- •Edwin Diaz progresses with bullpen sessions, throwing at 91-93 mph.
- •Blake Snell approaching first bullpen session since surgery.
- 2:20 AMKABC-TV — Shohei Ohtani not in Dodgers' lineup while away from team on paternity leave - ABC7 Los Angeles
- 1:23 AMYahoo Sports — Dodgers Place Shohei Ohtani on Paternity Leave
- 1:04 AMYahoo Sports — Ohtani not in Dodgers' lineup while away from team on paternity
- 12:32 AMYahoo Sports — Dodgers Notebook: Shohei Ohtani on paternity leave, Hernandez nearing return, Smith delayed, and Diaz progressing
"Shohei Ohtani wasn't in the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup on Friday night because he is “away from the team on paternity.” The team announced in a post on X that the two-way superstar is expected to return this weekend, meaning he wasn't placed on MLB's paternity list. The team's lineup for the series opener against the Baltimore Orioles came out less than an hour before gametime, with Ryan Ward listed as the designated hitter, and batting seventh.
"Shohei Ohtani wasn't in the Dodgers' lineup Friday night because he is "away from the team on paternity."
"LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani is out of the lineup because he's been placed on paternity leave.
Sources
External links- KABC-TVJun 20, 2026, 2:20 AMShohei Ohtani not in Dodgers' lineup while away from team on paternity leave - ABC7 Los Angeles
Shohei Ohtani wasn't in the Dodgers' lineup Friday night because he is "away from the team on paternity."
- Yahoo SportsJun 20, 2026, 1:23 AMDodgers Place Shohei Ohtani on Paternity Leave
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced why Shohei Ohtani was absent from Friday's lineup.
- Yahoo SportsJun 20, 2026, 1:04 AMOhtani not in Dodgers' lineup while away from team on paternity
Shohei Ohtani wasn't in the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup on Friday night because he is “away from the team on paternity.” The team announced in a post on X that the two-way superstar is expected to return this weekend, meaning he wasn't placed on MLB's paternity list. The team's lineup for the series opener against the Baltimore Orioles came out less than an hour before gametime, with Ryan Ward listed as the designated hitter, and batting seventh.
- Yahoo SportsJun 20, 2026, 12:32 AMDodgers Notebook: Shohei Ohtani on paternity leave, Hernandez nearing return, Smith delayed, and Diaz progressing
LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani is out of the lineup because he's been placed on paternity leave.
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