Ohtani set to address media for first time since interpreter fired

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani briefly entered the Dodgers clubhouse Sunday and said he would make himself available to reporters — and address the allegations of illegal gambling and theft made against his former interpreter — the following afternoon .

The interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was fired by the Dodgers on Wednesday following media investigations into at least $4.5 million in wire transfers sent from Ohtani's bank account to a South Carolina bookmaking operation. California which is the subject of a federal investigation.

Ohtani's camp initially said Ohtani transferred the funds to cover Mizuhara's debt and presented Mizuhara for an interview with ESPN on Tuesday evening, during which he outlined the process in detail. The next day, a statement from Berk Brettler LLP, the law firm representing Ohtani in the case, said the two-way star “was the victim of a massive theft.” Mizuhara later told ESPN that Ohtani had no knowledge of his debt and that Ohtani did not transfer the money.

The Dodgers were opening their season in South Korea at that time, and Ohtani was kicked out of the clubhouse without addressing the media after the second and final game Thursday night.

On Sunday, before an exhibition game that marked the Dodgers' first game in the United States since the case surfaced, 10 cameras surrounded Dodgers manager Dave Roberts on the floor of the third base dugout, with at least a dozen more lined up along the railing just beyond. he.

Roberts said it was “good” that Ohtani addressed the issue Monday afternoon.

“It’s the right thing to do,” Roberts added. “I'm glad he's speaking out about what he knows and giving his thoughts on the whole situation. I think it will give us all a little more clarity.”

Ohtani has not been charged with gambling, and none of the bets appear to have been made on baseball – a circumstance that could lead to a permanent ban on the sport. But California is one of a dozen states where sports betting remains illegal. The bookmaker in question, Orange County resident Mathew Bowyer, was raided at his home in October as part of an investigation by the same U.S. Attorney's Office handling a large federal money laundering case and illegal gambling in Las Vegas that attracted former minor league baseball player Wayne Nix.

Major League Baseball announced Friday afternoon that its investigations department was also formally looking into the matter. Ohtani, however, is expected to continue playing while the investigation unfolds. Penalties for players who place non-baseball bets with illegal bookmakers are at the discretion of the commissioner; the last case was in 2015, when Miami Marlins pitcher Jarred Cosart was fined an undisclosed amount.

Roberts said the Dodgers heard a presentation during spring training that outlined MLB's rules regarding the game, as it does every year, but the topic was not brought up again. Ohtani hasn't officially spoken to the team as a whole, Roberts said, although he believes Ohtani has had “one-off conversations” with some teammates about it.

Roberts added that Ohtani, playing his typical second spot in the lineup while serving as the designated hitter for Sunday's 5-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels in Crosstown, was “his usual self. . Hours before the game – the first of three exhibition games before the Dodgers resume their regular season against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday – Ohtani wore a big smile as he returned from right field and greeted his former Angels teammates .

Speaking to reporters Monday, it was Ohtani's decision, not a request made by the Dodgers, Roberts said.

The Dodgers are no strangers to off-the-field legal issues. Three years ago, the Dodgers signed Trevor Bauer, who faced sexual assault allegations that led to the longest suspension in the history of MLB's domestic violence policy. In the near future, another of their former pitchers, Julio Urias, could become the first player to face two suspensions under this same policy.

Ohtani's situation is very different, but it has sparked another negative off-field scenario for a team hyper-focused on winning the World Series.

Roberts said he didn't think it would be a distraction.

“We are certainly challenged in this regard,” he said, “and we have shown over the years that we continue to move forward. We should not be insensitive to various situations, but we all understand that we have work to do. First and foremost, playing baseball and getting ready has to be part of it.”