Shohei Ohtani’s shock marriage announcement even surprised the Dodgers, says manager Dave Roberts… after the $700m star revealed he secretly wed a mystery Japanese woman during winter

Shohei Ohtani stunned the Los Angeles Dodgers — and many around the world — with his wedding announcement on Thursday, so manager Dave Roberts said any gift the team gives to the two-time MVP would be the same as most of the money in his contract: postponed.

“I’m very happy for him and his bride,” Roberts said with a smile. “As for the wedding gifts, we were surprised and didn’t have much time to think about it. I’m sure it’s on its way.’

Ohtani, the Japanese two-way star, revealed on Instagram asked on Thursday that he was married. Much of the relationship remains shrouded in mystery.

“She is a Japanese woman,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “I don’t really like talking about when exactly I got married, but she’s a normal Japanese woman.”

Ohtani gave just a few more tidbits about the relationship during a brief interview Thursday, saying he had known his new bride for three or four years.

Manager Dave Roberts: ‘As far as wedding gifts go, we were surprised and didn’t have much time’

29-year-old Ohtani is Japan’s biggest celebrity. There was curiosity about his personal life, which he has always kept private. His focus and his image have always been 100% baseball oriented and free of scandal and tabloid news.

“I felt like it was good timing because it was before the season,” Ohtani said. ‘I didn’t really need any distractions once the season started. “I would have liked to have announced it earlier, but there were some paperwork issues that (delayed) the whole process.”

Ohtani moved from the Los Angeles Angels to the Dodgers in December with a record pick $700 million10 year contract that calls for Between 2034 and 2043, $680 million must be paid.

Ohtani said his marriage didn’t affect the way he handled free agency.

“She has a great understanding of my craft and she is willing to be wherever I wanted to play and ultimately it was my decision,” Ohtani said.

The Instagram post included a photo of his dog “Dekopin,” whom Ohtani also calls “Decoy.”

He wrote: ‘We hope that the two of us – and one animal – will work together.’

The news broke in the middle of the night in North America and late in the afternoon in Japan, where it was immediately the top news item.

Ohtani hit a two-run home run in his spring training debut with the Dodgers this week

Japanese television reports daily on his training in the United States and because of his unprecedented success in North America, he has become the pride of Japan. The Dodgers have become Japan’s de facto team.

Ohtani is training with the Dodgers as they prepare to open in Seoul, South Korea, on March 20-21 in a two-game series against the San Diego Padres.

Ohtani underwent surgery on his right elbow last September won’t pitch this season. He will be used as a design hitter and there is a possibility that he could play in the field.

In his spring training debut this week, he hit a two-run home run against the Chicago White Sox.

Ohtani has hit 171 home runs, including 44 last season, and has a career batting average of .274, along with a pitching record of 38-19 in five seasons. He missed the 2019 season due to elbow surgery and has a career ERA of 3.01.

He was the 2018 AL Rookie of the Year and the 2021 and ’23 AL MVP, often compared to Babe Ruth for his ability as a two-way player.