Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani announced Thursday on social media that he is married.  His post in Japanese was captioned:  “To all my friends and fans throughout , I have an announcement to make: Not only have I began a new chapter in my career with the Dodgers but I also have began a new life with someone from my Native country of Japan who is very special to me and I wanted everyone to know I am now married I am excited for what is to come and thank you for your support.”

The post on Instagram, which included a photo of Ohtani’s dog “Dekopin” (also called “Decoy)” also read: “We are still young and [there are] many things we don’t know yet, but we hope you will warmly watch over us. We hope that the two of us (and our dog) work together to support each other and move forward alongside with our fans.” Ohtani said he would reveal more in an interview Friday, and asked the media to refrain from “conducting unauthorized interviews.”

The news of Ohtani’s marriage broke in Japan, where the story immediately became the top news item on local television, who reports daily on his training in the United States. Ohtani, 29, has become the pride of Japan and one of its biggest celebrities, and there has always been curiosity around his personal life, which he has kept private.

Ohtani joined the Dodgers form the Los Angeles Angels in December, signing a record-breaking 10-year, $700 million contract with the franchise. The hitter/pitcher underwent surgery on his right elbow in the off-season and will not pitch until 2025, although he can be used as a designated hitter.  He took the field for his first spring training game with the Dodgers on Tuesday in Phoenix, where he hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning of the 9-6 victory over the Chicago White Sox. He is expected to meet with reporters Friday at spring training when the Dodgers face the Cleveland Guardians on Friday in Phoenix.

The Dodgers season opens March 20-21 in Seoul, South Korea, in a two-game series against the San Diego Padres.

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