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Shohei Ohtani has had plenty of milestone moments on the field in the last year.

This weekend, he’s about to have one off of it.

The Dodgers slugger and reigning National League MVP was placed on the paternity list, the team announced, in anticipation of the birth of his first child this weekend.

Ohtani stayed back in Los Angeles with his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, according to manager Dave Roberts, and was replaced on the roster during the Dodgers' series against the Texas Rangers by veteran outfielder Eddie Rosario, who was called up from triple A.

Read more:Dodgers coach Chris Woodward is ‘proud’ of Rangers managerial stint, despite 2022 firing

“I don’t know when they’re going to have the baby,” Roberts said. “But obviously they are together in anticipation.”

Ohtani can stay on the paternity list for up to three days — which means he would be back for the team’s series next week against the Cubs at Wrigley Field at the latest — but Roberts said it’s possible he could rejoin the team later this weekend in Texas.

To make room on the 40-man roster for Rosario, the Dodgers transferred reliever Edgardo Henriquez to the 60-day injured list.

Read more:Pitching help on the way, improved bats, too? | Dodgers Debate

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)

On the latest episode of "Baseball Bar-B-Cast," hosts Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman sat down with ESPN’s Buster Olney to dig into the question: Where did all the dynasties go? Their conversation offers a look at the legendary New York Yankees dynasty of the late 1990s — and why today’s superteams struggle to achieve similar levels of dominance.

The Yankees: Baseball’s last true dynasty?

Buster Olney quite literally wrote the book on the Yankees’ dynasty years: "The Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty: The Game, the Team, and the Cost of Greatness." As he explains in the episode, the late-’90s Yankees weren’t just a collection of high-priced free agents; they were a product of patience, clever management during a brief George Steinbrenner suspension and a homegrown core that included Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte and Bernie Williams. Veterans and stars such as David Cone and Roger Clemens rounded out the roster, but the key ingredients were sustainability and in-house talent.

Olney frames the 1998-2001 Yankees as the last “true” MLB dynasty, or as he puts it: “maybe the last dynasty that's going to win four World Series in five years.” 

What made the Yankees so special? Olney emphasizes the “combination of homegrown players and great stars that they added through free agency,” plus, crucially, a culture that made outside stars want to join: “Because they were so successful, they have what the Dodgers have now, which is a lot of players coming in from the outside saying, 'I want to be a part of that.'”

Why don’t we see MLB dynasties anymore?

So what has changed? Olney, Mintz, and Shusterman point to several big reasons dynasties have become nearly impossible in MLB.

• Roster turnover and free agency: With player movement so much more common today, keeping a championship core together is extremely difficult.

• Injuries and luck: As Olney notes, “it’s also about luck, it’s about injuries, it’s about players who decide to depart.” Maintaining excellence over multiple MLB seasons is just brutally difficult.

• The psychological toll: Olney makes a great point: Today’s social media era means players face far more noise, scrutiny and pressure than Ken Griffey Jr. ever did in the clubhouse. “I do think it takes a toll … players get worn down by the constant feedback.”

• Expanded playoff fields: More rounds mean more opportunities for upsets — a dynasty killer. As Mintz notes, “The playoffs are longer by one round … just another roll of the dice.”

The modern superteams: Dodgers, Astros, Giants

Every few years a team emerges — think the Dodgers, Astros or the earlier 2010s Giants — and gets branded with the “dynasty in the making” label. But as the Bar-B-Cast crew explains, none has repeated the Yankees’ level of sustained postseason success. Olney praises the current Dodgers as, “on paper, the best team I've ever seen,” but even he acknowledges that it’s far from a given that they’ll embark on a pinstripes-level run.

The Astros’ frequent postseason trips and the Giants’ trio of even-year titles are impressive, but Mintz still contends, “I would probably argue against both of those [being true dynasties].”

Will we ever see another true dynasty?

All signs, according to the podcast trio, point to “maybe, but don’t hold your breath.” The hosts agree that because of all the factors named above, a four-titles-in-five-years run looks like an artifact of another era.

But as Mintz points out, that isn’t a reason to stop believing: “For those of us who love the drama, there’s always a chance … and that’s what keeps baseball compelling.”

For more deep dives into baseball’s dynasties and other debates, tune in to "Baseball-Bar-B-Cast" on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.

Mets pitching prospect Brandon Sproat appears to have found his stride in Triple-A. 

The young right-hander has now recorded three consecutive strong outings after putting together six efficient innings of work in Game 1 of Friday afternoon’s doubleheader with the Buffalo Bisons.

Sproat allowed leadoff singles in each of the first two innings, but he used a double play to erase the threat both times. He was then helped out by a caught stealing and worked around a two-out walk in the top of the third.

The 24-year-old began cruising from there, retiring the next eight batters before allowing Jonatan Clase to reach on a two-out infield single in the sixth. Sproat then retired the next batter to end his day on a high note.

Overall, he allowed just four hits and a walk while striking out one across six shutout innings.

He touched 99.5 mph with his fastball and leaned heavily on his sweeper, throwing it 38 percent of the time.

Sproat was knocked around toward the end of last season with Syracuse, but he's settled in at the new level, allowing just two runs while striking out nine in 14.1 innings over his last three appearances (1.26 ERA).

While the Mets likely want to see him continue this stretch of strong pitching, he's certainly knocking on the door.

According to reports, he was among the options New York was considering as a spot starter against the Cardinals before Griffin Canning was scratched Wednesday due to an illness. Justin Hagenman came up instead.

If Sproat can continue pitching like this, it likely won't be long before he receives the call too.

Brandon Sproat threw six shutout innings for Triple-A Syracuse today 💪

His final line: 6 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K pic.twitter.com/yGT6qjYkh5

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) April 18, 2025

Just moments after being ejected for arguing a strike-three call on Thursday, Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. voiced his frustation with home-plate umpire John Bacon via social media, posting on his X/Twitter account that the seventh-inning pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays was, "Not even f---ing close."

While the message was deleted shortly thereafter, it still caught MLB's attention and called for punishment. Yankees manager Aaron Boone revealed on Friday afternoon that Chisholm has received a one-game suspension and fine from the league for the incident, and that the veteran infielder intends to appeal the decision. Chisholm is in Friday's lineup.

The discplinary action was predictable, as MLB rules state that players aren't allowed to use electronic devices during a game. The league's social media policy also mentions that players can't produce or endorse content that questions the "impartiality of or otherwise denigrates" an umpire.

Chisholm addressed the feud after Thursday's win, saying that he was "fired up" after the call from Bacon and didn't feel the ejection was warranted until after he left the field. He owned up to the situation, confirming that he did tweet immediately from the clubhouse and accepting the consequences.

The first month of the 2025 season has been odd for Chisholm, who's displayed notable power at the plate but also struggled to reach base at a tolerable rate. He's slashing just .169/.272/.451 over 81 plate appearances, and his strikeout rate of 32.1 percent is currently a career-high mark. In spite of his pop -- he's tied for fourth in MLB with six home runs -- the consistent whiffs are a concern.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. has been ejected for arguing balls and strikes pic.twitter.com/eQcGyu2qqW

— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) April 18, 2025

Phillies start hot again and Wheeler strikes out 13 Marlins in series-opening win originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

To begin their series with the Marlins, the Phillies carried over exactly what worked for them Thursday vs. the Giants.

The Phils again seized a quick lead and received a strong, strikeout-heavy performance from their starting pitcher. Zack Wheeler struck out 13 Marlins in a 7-2 win Friday night at Citizens Bank Park.

In seven innings, Wheeler allowed five hits and two runs. He walked none.

Wheeler tossed a seven-pitch, all-strike first inning. Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara was in for a much bumpier ride.

Though he lined out to center field, Bryson Stott had an exemplary, eight-pitch leadoff at-bat. Trea Turner walked and Bryce Harper then hammered a slider into the right field second deck. 

A day after grabbing a 5-1 lead in the first inning against San Francisco, the Phillies stretched their advantage to 6-0 in the second. Alcantara needed 53 pitches to get four outs and didn’t reach the third inning. 

“We’ve seen him a lot,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “He probably wasn’t as sharp as he normally is, but I thought we were very disciplined. … I really liked our approach against him.”

Max Kepler opened the bottom of the second with another excellent at-bat and walked. J.T. Realmuto, Alec Bohm and Johan Rojas all smacked singles and the Phillies kept on scoring with assistance from two Alcantara wild pitches. 

Meanwhile, Wheeler did smooth, no-nonsense work. He leaned on his four-seam fastball early and retired the first seven hitters he faced.

“Every time he goes out there, it’s special,” Harper said. “He pounds the zone, understands what he needs to do. I thought he was very sharp today.”

Wheeler said he “made a couple of adjustments” following a loss to the Cardinals in his last outing.

“Just getting into my front leg a little bit better,” he said. “My fastball was playing well, spinning nice and true how you want it to be. The split was playing well of of that. J.T. called a great game, just keeping them off balance, for the most part.”

Through five innings, one Marlin made it to second base. Eric Wagaman broke through for Miami with a two-out, two-run homer off of Wheeler in the sixth, but the Phillies had no trouble seeing their win through. 

Kyle Schwarber provided the team’s only run after the second inning when he cracked a long ball in the fifth off of lefty reliever Anthony Veneziano. Tanner Banks pitched a scoreless eighth and Jose Ruiz handled the ninth. 

Twenty games in, the 2025 Phillies sit at 12-8. 

Injury updates

Nick Castellanos returned to the lineup after leaving Thursday’s win with left hip flexor tightness. He went 2 for 3 before Kody Clemens replaced him in the fifth inning. 

“At that time I didn’t really want him to run the bases,” Thomson said. “And we were up 7-0, so I felt pretty comfortable with it just to get him out of there and make sure he’s safe.”

Brandon Marsh missed his second straight game with a right knee injury. Thomson said Marsh did some running pregame and would’ve been available to play in an emergency situation.

With Marsh still out, Rojas started his third consecutive game in center field. He’s gone 3 for 8 with an RBI, a walk and a stolen base during that stretch. 

Weekend slate 

Taijuan Walker (1-1, 2.30 ERA) and Cal Quantrill (1-1, 5.79 ERA) are set to start Saturday at 1:05 p.m. 

Jesus Luzardo (2-0, 2.31 ERA) will pitch against his former team Sunday at 1:35 p.m. Connor Gillispie (0-2, 6.63 ERA) is Miami’s scheduled starter for the series finale. 

Phillies start hot again and Wheeler strikes out 13 Marlins in series-opening win originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

To begin their series with the Marlins, the Phillies carried over exactly what worked for them Thursday vs. the Giants.

The Phils again seized a quick lead and received a strong, strikeout-heavy performance from their starting pitcher. Zack Wheeler struck out 13 Marlins in a 7-2 win Friday night at Citizens Bank Park.

In seven innings, Wheeler allowed five hits and two runs. He walked none.

Wheeler tossed a seven-pitch, all-strike first inning. Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara was in for a much bumpier ride.

Though he lined out to center field, Bryson Stott had an exemplary, eight-pitch leadoff at-bat. Trea Turner walked and Bryce Harper then hammered a slider into the right field second deck. 

A day after grabbing a 5-1 lead in the first inning against San Francisco, the Phillies stretched their advantage to 6-0 in the second. Alcantara needed 53 pitches to get four outs and didn’t reach the third inning. 

Max Kepler opened the bottom of the second with another excellent at-bat and walked. J.T. Realmuto, Alec Bohm and Johan Rojas all smacked singles and the Phillies kept on scoring with assistance from two Alcantara wild pitches. 

Meanwhile, Wheeler did smooth, no-nonsense work. He leaned on his four-seam fastball early and retired the first seven hitters he faced.

Through five innings, just one Marlin made it to second base. Eric Wagaman broke through for Miami with a two-out, two-run homer off of Wheeler in the sixth, but the Phillies had no trouble seeing their win through. 

Kyle Schwarber provided the team’s only run after the second inning when he cracked a long ball in the fifth off of lefty reliever Anthony Veneziano. Tanner Banks pitched a scoreless eighth and Jose Ruiz handled the ninth. 

Twenty games in, the 2025 Phillies sit at 12-8. 

Injury updates

Nick Castellanos returned to the lineup after leaving Thursday’s win with left hip flexor tightness. He went 2 for 3 before Kody Clemens replaced him in the fifth inning. 

Brandon Marsh missed his second straight game with a right knee injury. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Marsh did some running pregame and would’ve been available to play in an emergency situation.

With Marsh still out, Rojas started his third consecutive game in center field. He’s gone 3 for 8 with an RBI, a walk and a stolen base during that stretch. 

Weekend slate 

Taijuan Walker (1-1, 2.30 ERA) and Cal Quantrill (1-1, 5.79 ERA) are set to start Saturday at 1:05 p.m. 

Jesus Luzardo (2-0, 2.31 ERA) will pitch against his former team Sunday at 1:35 p.m. Connor Gillispie (0-2, 6.63 ERA) is Miami’s scheduled starter for the series finale. 

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza discusses a number of different topics prior to Friday night's game against the Cardinals...

Núñez back soon?

Dedniel Núñez continues working his way back to the club.

The hard-throwing right-hander took the ball again on Friday night down in Triple-A and he put together another scoreless inning, striking out two as he worked around a pair of one out walks.

He threw 28 pitches and now has posted a zero in three consecutive appearances.

Núñez won't throw on Friday, but it appears he could be closing in on a return to the Mets' bullpen very soon.

"He continues to do whatever we ask him to do," the skipper said. "Now it's just a matter of when do we call him up. He pitched last night, definitely down today, so we'll see what we have in the next couple of days."

Núñez was optioned to Syracuse at the end of spring training so that he can properly ramp up after suffering a pronator strain in his right forearm last August.

When healthy, he was one of the Mets' most effective relievers, pitching to a 2.31 ERA across 25 appearances.

New York's bullpen has been spectacular thus far this season, but there's no denying that getting him back in the mix would be another big boost.

McNeil impresses in center

Jeff McNeil got his first taste of center field on Friday night and he looked strong.

The versatile defender played six innings for the St. Lucie Mets and he made all of the plays that came his way, including an impressive sliding catch to leadoff the game.

Mendoza likes what he heard from the early reports down in Single-A.

"We all saw the play he made," he said. "Overall, I thought he played well. Talking to some of the guys there, he should be here today so I'll talk to him -- he's going to get checked out again before heading back to Binghamton. But the reports that we got he looked really good."

It remains to be seen whether or not McNeil will actually see time in center when he makes his return from the injured list, but he's been mentioned in the mix along with Brandon Nimmo and Tyrone Taylor.

With McNeil closing in on his return, it means one of Luisangel Acuña or Brett Baty could potentially find themselves back off the roster soon.

The youngsters struggled early, but they've picked things up of late, making that decision all that more difficult.

"We'll cross that bridge when he have to," Mendoza said. "It's going to be a very difficult decision whether we decide to send one of them or we decide to keep both here because they're playing well -- I hope that's the case."

What Mets have learned about Kranick

Max Kranick didn't pitch for the Mets last season -- but this year he's quickly developed into a weapon for them.

The young right-hander has mastered the transition to the bullpen, building off his strong spring training to allow just two earned runs while striking out seven over his first seven appearances this season.

Mendoza has loved what he's seen from him thus far.

"He's a great kid, a competitor, wants to win," he said. "He's willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win baseball games. The biggest thing for me is his ability to bounce back -- we've asked a lot out of him early on with his ability to throw multiple innings.

"After an off day I'll check with him and he's like I'm ready to go if you need me. On days where I'm probably trying to stay away from him, the fact that he's telling me I'm ready if you need me to go -- that for me has been the biggest thing that I've learned from him. He's adjusting really well."

Because of his past injury troubles, the Mets will continue to monitor his workload moving forward.

But early on, Mendoza has been impressed with his willingness to take the ball whenever called upon.