Shohei Ohtani sent baseball fans into a frenzy on Thursday when he announced on Instagram that he had recently been married.
The reticent Los Angeles Dodgers superstar’s social media post prompted countless questions from reporters and reactions from curious fans who wanted to know more details about the marriage.
As it turns out, the media and fans weren’t the only ones caught off guard by Ohtani’s personal news. The Dodgers, who inked the Japanese two-way star to a record, $700 million contract back in December, were “surprised” by the announcement, as manager Dave Roberts told reporters on Thursday, according to the Associated Press.
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“I’m very happy for him and his bride. As far as wedding gifts, we got surprised and didn’t have much time to think about it. I’m sure it’s en route,” Roberts said.
Even the Dodgers were kept in the dark when it comes to the marriage. Ohtani, a two-time American League MVP, declined to reveal to reporters any timeline or more details of his nuptial, but referred to his new wife as a “normal Japanese woman.”
Ohtani, rehabbing from September elbow surgery, belted a two-run home run in his spring training debut for Los Angeles, a 9–6 win over the Chicago White Sox, on Tuesday.
He expects to be ready for Opening Day on March 20 in Seoul, South Korea, against the San Diego Padres.
