ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) – Two-way star Shohei Ohtani made his return to the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup on Sunday for the finale of a series against the Texas Rangers. Ohtani was activated from the paternity list after welcoming his first child with his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, a former professional basketball player, who recently gave birth in Southern California.

In a heartfelt message shared on Instagram, Ohtani expressed his gratitude towards his wife, praising her for bringing their "healthy, beautiful daughter" into the world. His post highlighted the mix of emotions he and his wife are feeling as new parents, stating, "Thank you for making us very nervous yet super anxious parents."

The 30-year-old Ohtani had previously missed the first two games of the series, in which the Dodgers managed to split the results, mirroring the performance of the last two reigning World Series champions. Prior to his absence, he had participated in all of the Dodgers' previous 20 games, showcasing an impressive performance at the plate. Ohtani boasted a batting average of .288, with six home runs and 21 runs scored, placing him just one run shy of the Major League lead.

As Ohtani returns to the field, the Dodgers hope to leverage his talents in both pitching and hitting as they continue their quest for a successful season. His presence in the lineup is expected to boost the team's offensive capabilities as they face the Rangers.

With the excitement surrounding his family life and contributions on the field, Ohtani's journey as both a parent and an extraordinary athlete continues to captivate fans and analysts alike.