Two-time AL MVP Shohei Ohtani reflected on his life with the Los Angeles Dodgers since ex-interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was fired amid his gambling scandal during an interview with reporters on Wednesday.
Team manager of performance operations Will Ireton has been acting as Ohtani’s new interpreter since the Dodgers fired Mizuhara in March.
Mizuhara was not only the two-way superstar’s longtime interpreter but a close friend as well up until the three-time All-Star accused him of stealing money from the former Rookie of the Year to fund gambling debts.
It was reported on April 12 that federal authorities announced in a Los Angeles court that Mizuhara had been charged with bank fraud.
ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez reported that “it was discovered [Mizuhara] transferred more than $16M” from Ohtani’s account to an “alleged illegal sports book.”
Ohtani said on Wednesday that he was “grateful” for his teammates’ support throughout the ordeal.
“The investigation is currently still going on, so I can’t really say much about that,” Ohtani said through Ireton, according to a report by Andy McCullough of The Athletic. “But it made me really realize how supportive the teammates, the organization, the staff have been towards me. It’s just allowed me to really reflect on how grateful I am to be surrounded by them.”
McCullough noted that the former longtime Los Angeles Angel hasn’t “suddenly become an open book,” as he “declined to say who within the organization he has leaned upon during this past month.”
Per the report, Ohtani has “palled around with” outfielder Teoscar Hernandez and strength and conditioning coach Travis Smith but didn’t want to mention “specific names.”
“Obviously, I don’t mind the team mentioning
that. Obviously, right now, it’s the middle of the regular season. I don’t want
to create some kind of distraction,” he said.
The 29-year-old also “deflected another question about his life has changed” without his ex-interpreter by his side.
On the field, Ohtani has been as dominant as ever during his first season with the Dodgers. He enters Thursday leading MLB in hits (39), doubles (14), total bases (73), batting average (.371), slugging percentage (.695) and OPS (1.129).
