Dodgers Manager Hopes for 'Dad Strength' Boost as Ohtani Returns to Lineup

On April 16, 2025, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed optimism about the return of Shohei Ohtani, who had just become a father. Roberts speculated that the "dad strength" newly acquired by Ohtani could lead to remarkable exit velocities from his powerful bat. However, during the game against the Texas Rangers, Ohtani showed signs of being “a little anxious,” going hitless with three at-bats and a walk in the team's narrow 1-0 victory.

Ohtani had recently been activated from the paternity list following the birth of his daughter in Southern California and resumed his usual leadoff position. His walk in the eighth inning was crucial, as it set the stage for the only run of the game, which came from a series of plays involving pinch-hitter Will Smith and Mookie Betts, ultimately resulting in a sacrifice fly by Freddie Freeman. The game was part of a successful series for the Dodgers, who managed to secure two shutout wins against the Rangers.

Despite not speaking to the press after the game, Ohtani’s late arrival in Texas did not appear to affect him significantly, according to Roberts. The manager described Ohtani's batting approach as “overly aggressive,” suggesting that the two days off may have contributed to his anxious mindset. Roberts has observed that fatherhood often brings positive changes to players, suggesting that attributes gained from being a dad might translate into better performance on the field as players become more focused on what is truly important in life and in baseball. Ohtani has been considerable for the Dodgers, boasting a .277 batting average, six home runs, and 21 runs scored in the last 20 games. He also expressed his gratitude to his wife on Instagram, acknowledging the challenges and joys of new parenthood.