Playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers isn't the only big change for Shohei Ohtani this year.
The MLB superstar announced on Instagram on Thursday that he had gotten married. Ohtani, who is famously private about his personal life, did not reveal any details about his marriage or his new wife other than that she is Japanese. The only photo included in his announcement post is of his dog Dekopin/Decoy.
The news arrived late at night in America and in the evening in Japan.
Otani's full caption:
To all my friends and fans, I have some news.
Not only am I starting a new chapter in my career with the Dodgers, I am also starting a new life with someone very special to me from my home country of Japan. I wanted everyone to know that I'm married now.
I'm really looking forward to seeing what happens next. Thank you for your support.
Ohtani has a habit of announcing big news with surprise Instagram posts, as he also announced via his account earlier this offseason that he was signing with the Dodgers. It was then reported that his contract was worth a record $700 million, with $680 million deferred.
The marriage was reportedly news to the Dodgers, according to Fabian Aldaya of The Athletic, with manager Dave Roberts not knowing until his wife told him Thursday morning.
Shohei Otani “My wife is an ordinary Japanese woman”
Ohtani gave a little more detail about his wife when he spoke to reporters in Arizona on Thursday.around Jack Harris of the Los Angeles TimesOtani described her as an “ordinary Japanese woman” (i.e. not a celebrity) who he had known for three or four years.
He reportedly declined to say when they got married, but said the relationship had no bearing on his decision to sign with the Dodgers, and that his wife supported it. He also told Japanese media that he got engaged last year and his wife is accompanying him to spring training.
The 29-year-old announced his marriage two days after his spring training debut with the Dodgers, and it worked out. Ohtani hit a two-run home run in the opposite direction in his third at-bat against the Chicago White Sox, showing off the power that has made him one of the most feared hitters in baseball.
The Dodgers are scheduled to open the season on March 20th in South Korea against the San Diego Padres. Otani's wife will probably also be in attendance.
