Ohtani looks to flex 'dad strength' in return to Dodgers' leadoff spot

ARLINGTON -- Shohei Ohtani is back from paternity leave, and the Dodgers are wondering what "dad strength" could possibly look like for someone who already packs as big a punch as Ohtani does.

Ohtani was reinstated from the paternity list and back in the leadoff spot in Sunday's 1-0 win over the Rangers one day after announcing that his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, had given birth to the couple's first child, a baby girl.

"I am so grateful to my loving wife who gave birth to our healthy beautiful daughter," Ohtani wrote in an Instagram post on Saturday. "To my daughter, thank you for making us very nervous yet super anxious parents."

Eddie Rosario was designated for assignment in order to clear a spot for Ohtani's return to the active roster. The Dodgers' superstar had stayed back in Southern California to be with his wife when his team hit the road, missing the first two games in Arlington.

"I think in paternity, you get three days," manager Dave Roberts said. "But for him to just make sure the baby was healthy and to get back here, and to be a part of this, certainly shows his ability to balance life and work. Good to have him back, and most importantly, I'm happy him and Mamiko have a healthy baby girl."

Before going on the paternity list, Ohtani had appeared in all of the Dodgers' first 20 games, hitting .288 with a .930 OPS, six homers and 21 runs scored.

Ohtani didn't end up flexing his newfound "dad strength" -- which is when a Major Leaguer goes deep in his first game back after the birth of his child -- on Sunday afternoon, although he did draw a walk when the Dodgers rallied in the eighth to break a scoreless tie.

Even if Ohtani didn't follow the definition of "dad strength" to the letter, Roberts has the feeling that he'll do something special now that he's a father, as he usually does.

"'Dad strength' is real," Roberts said before the game. "It's amazing how hard Shohei hits the ball now. So now that he is a father, we might see some 120 [mph] exit velos off the bat. Something unprecedented."