Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani Answers Questions About Life Without Ippei Mizuhara

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani fielded questions from reporters before the game against the Minnesota Twins on Monday.

He talked about his throwing program and answered questions regarding life without his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, who was fired in March.

“It’s only been a couple weeks since then, and it’s not like I’ve been doing much aside from just being at the hotel and at home,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. “I’m just really grateful, thankful, that the team and the personnel has supported me throughout the process.”

The 29-year-old has done a good job of hiding any inkling that his longtime companion’s departure is bothering him. By contrast, he has been playing more freely, smiling and laughing more than when Mizuhara was around.

Ohtani isn’t in charge of how Major League Baseball handles its investigation of Mizuhara’s illegal gambling allegations, but he can control how he performs on the baseball field.

“Regardless of whatever happens off the field, my ability to be able to play baseball hasn’t changed,” he said. It is my job to make sure that I play to the best of my abilities.”

He is definitely playing to the best of his abilities. He is on a historic run with six consecutive multi-hit games for the first time in his career.

Ohtani looks to lengthen his streak on Wednesday at 4:40 p.m. PT in Minnesota.

Photo Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

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