Shohei Ohtani: Wife Age| When did join the MLB| Pitching Stats

Shohei Ohtani: A Two-Way Baseball Legend

Shohei Ohtani is arguably the most compelling two-way star in modern baseball. As both a dominant pitcher and a prolific hitter, he has redefined expectations in Major League Baseball. But many fans are curious about his personal life, too — such as who his wife is, her age, and how the two met. This article dives into those aspects, along with a comprehensive look at when Ohtani joined MLB and how his pitching career has unfolded in statistics and narrative.

Personal Life: Wife and Age

Who is Shohei Ohtani’s wife?

Shohei Ohtani confirmed in February 2024 that he had married a Japanese woman, though he initially didn’t reveal her identity. Soon thereafter, the woman was identified as Mamiko Tanaka, a former professional women’s basketball player in Japan.

Mamiko Tanaka, born on December 11, 1996, is a Japanese athlete who played in the Women’s Japan Basketball League for the Fujitsu Red Wave from 2019 to 2023 before retiring. During her last season in 2023, she averaged strong shooting percentages (e.g. ~47.7% field goal, ~69.9% free throw) across 28 games.

When Ohtani announced their marriage, he described his wife as a “normal Japanese woman” and requested privacy. Then in April 2025, the couple celebrated the birth of their first child, a daughter — which Ohtani announced on social media.

Age and current status

• Shohei Ohtani was born July 5, 1994. As of 2025, he is 31 years old.

• Mamiko Tanaka, born December 11, 1996, is currently 28 years old (turning 29 in December 2025).

Thus, the age difference between them is about two years.

They have kept much of their private life discrete, but their marriage and child announcement have drawn wide attention in both sports and media circles.

When Did Shohei Ohtani Join MLB?

Early career in Japan (NPB)

Before moving to MLB, Ohtani built an exceptional foundation in Japan’s NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball):

• In 2012, he was selected first overall in the NPB draft by the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.

• He made his professional NPB debut in 2013, playing both as a pitcher and a hitter for the Fighters from 2013 through 2017.

• In his NPB rookie season, he hit around .238 and threw 11 starts (with about 61⅔ innings pitched, 46 strikeouts, and 33 walks) while also contributing offensively.

• By 2016, he had become a star in Japan, winning the Pacific League MVP and helping his team win the Japan Series.

His success in Japan created significant international interest and built his reputation as a rare two-way talent.

Transition to MLB

Ohtani’s transition to Major League Baseball was highly anticipated:

• After the 2017 season, he was posted by the Fighters to MLB teams, allowing him to negotiate with clubs in the U.S.

• He officially joined MLB when he signed with the Los Angeles Angels and made his MLB debut on March 29, 2018.

• In his debut season, he showed his dual-threat potential: he batted .285 with 22 home runs and recorded a 3.31 ERA in 10 starts — enough to win the American League Rookie of the Year award.

• Notably, during his first year, he started a game as a pitcher having already played as a non-pitcher earlier in the season — becoming the first since Babe Ruth to do so under certain historical contexts.

As of 2025, Ohtani has now completed eight MLB seasons (2018 through 2025).

Shohei Ohtani’s Pitching Stats & Career Analysis

Dual role and challenges

One hallmark that sets Ohtani apart is his role as a two-way player — he both pitches and bats at an elite level, reminiscent of legends like Babe Ruth but in a modern, specialized era.

That dual role brought challenges, especially with injuries. Pitchers are more vulnerable to arm injuries, which forced Ohtani to modify his usage over time. In particular:

• He underwent Tommy John surgery (a surgery on his right (throwing) elbow) during the 2019 offseason.

• Because of the surgery, in 2019 he was largely limited to hitting (DH role) and did not pitch.

• In subsequent seasons, he gradually increased his ability to pitch again, balancing rest, recovery, and performance.

MLB pitching statistics (through recent seasons)

Below is an overview of Ohtani’s key pitching performance in MLB, based on available data:

Additional career pitching summary:

• Ohtani’s career MLB pitching record has been impacted by downtime and injuries, but when healthy he has demonstrated elite strikeout ability and decent ERA management.

• As of 2025, his batting side is often more prominent (home runs, RBIs, OPS), but his reemergence on the mound adds excitement to his two-way narrative.

Recent developments & return to pitching

In 2025, Ohtani’s return to the mound has been a focal point. After a long hiatus recovering from elbow surgery, the Los Angeles Dodgers have planned his first starts, and in doing so he’s poised to make history:

• In one upcoming game, Ohtani is expected to start both as a pitcher and bat leadoff — a rare feat. If successful, he’d become the first National League pitcher to do so since 1953.

• In his first Dodgers pitching start, he became the fourth starting pitcher since 1900 to bat leadoff while on the mound.

His managerial and coaching staff are likely managing his innings carefully as he ramps back into full rotation work.

Legacy, Impact & Outlook

Redefining the two-way role

Shohei Ohtani’s career showcases the rare blend of elite hitting and elite pitching. In an era of specialization, he’s revived the romantic notion of a “complete” baseball player. He has earned multiple MVP awards, shattered records, and become an international icon.

His success may inspire future players to develop dual skills, or at least challenge organizations to allow more flexibility in player roles.

Injury management & longevity

Ohtani’s durability is a major factor in his long-term impact. Pitching is inherently high risk, especially for workloads that compete with hitting ambitions. His career has already been punctuated by injuries and recovery periods. How well he can manage those tradeoffs—and how teams structure his usage—will be critical to his sustained greatness.

What lies ahead

• If Ohtani can stay healthy, continued success both at the plate and on the mound could further push his career totals upward in home runs, strikeouts, wins, and milestones.

• His role with the Dodgers in 2025 and beyond will be closely watched, especially as he attempts to reintegrate as a pitcher.

• In media, endorsements, and influence on the game globally (especially in Japan), his stature continues to grow.

Conclusion

• Wife & age: Shohei Ohtani is married to Mamiko Tanaka (a former professional basketball player), born December 11, 1996. He is about 31 years old; she is about 28.

• MLB debut: Ohtani joined MLB in 2018 after posting from Japan, signing with the Los Angeles Angels, and debuting on March 29, 2018.

• Pitching stats: His MLB pitching career has seen standout seasons, interrupted by injury and recovery. When active, his ERA, strikeouts, and innings show that he’s an upper-tier pitcher. His return to pitching in 2025 is highly anticipated