In a surprising turn of events, Japanese baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani, known as one of the country’s most eligible bachelors, has revealed that he is now married, creating a buzz on social media.

The Los Angeles Dodgers star, who has been notoriously private about his personal life, made the announcement on Thursday through an Instagram post. The 29-year-old expressed his desire for everyone to know about his marital status but did not disclose the identity of his Japanese bride.

In his Instagram message, Ohtani shared, “I wanted everyone to know I am now married,” and described his wife as someone “who is very special to me.” He hinted at a shared journey ahead, saying, “Two people (plus one dog), we’ll grow together.” Ohtani also informed his seven million followers that he would be holding a press conference on Friday to provide more details.

In a historic move last year, Shohei Ohtani secured his place in baseball history by signing an unprecedented 10-year, $700 million (£552 million) contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, solidifying his position as one of the highest-earning athletes globally.

Distinguished from conventional players who typically specialize in either batting or pitching, Ohtani possesses exceptional proficiency in both disciplines, earning him comparisons to the legendary American baseball icon Babe Ruth. Bestowed with the nickname “Shotime,” Ohtani is widely acknowledged as one of the premier players on the global stage.

Following Shohei Ohtani’s surprising announcement on Instagram, where he shared news of his marriage, a wave of congratulatory messages flooded social media, garnering one million likes in less than an hour.

While many expressed joy and well wishes for Ohtani and his undisclosed Japanese bride, some fans couldn’t help but feel a tinge of heartbreak, lamenting the unavailability of Japan’s beloved sports icon. “Shohei Ohtani is married. This is the worst day of my life,” bemoaned one post.

Conversely, another post conveyed happiness for the baseball sensation, appreciating that he had the agency to share the news on his own terms. Currently in the US for training, Ohtani received warm wishes from his team, with the LA Dodgers humorously acknowledging the challenge of juggling a baseball game and a wedding on the same day. Their post on X featured a video showcasing Ohtani’s prowess during a game.

Ohtani’s surprise marriage announcement sparked speculation among fans, leaving them intrigued about the identity of his bride.

Commenting on the news, one social media user marveled at the accomplishment of a woman who successfully entered Ohtani’s demanding schedule to tie the knot.

Given the immense popularity of baseball in Japan, Ohtani’s significant announcement quickly became a major topic on X, dominating the top five positions on the platform’s Japan trending topics shortly after the news broke.