Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani Not Currently Facing Discipline Regarding Ippei Mizuhara Situation: Report
Dodgers’ star Shohei Ohtani is not currently facing any discipline, nor is believed to be under investigation by Major League Baseball, according to The Athletic.
This comes one day after Ohtani’s representatives alleged “massive theft” involving Ohtani’s longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.
ESPN and The LA Times uncovered details regarding Mizuhara using an alleged illegal bookmaker where he lost more than $4.5 million.
Mizuhara paid those debuts via Ohtani’s funds, and initially told ESPN Ohtani knew about it and paid them because he didn’t trust Mizuhara to gamble the money away.
However, a spokesman then disavowed Mizuhara’s account of the situation, and said Ohtani’s lawyers would issue a statement.
On Wednesday, Mizuhara again spoke to ESPN, and said Ohtani did not know about the gambling activity or debts.
Mizuhara spoke to the Dodgers clubhouse following their 5-2 win on Wednesday, letting them know this story would be coming out the next day.
The Dodgers then fired Mizuhara, and released a statement regarding the situation.
On Thursday, Ohtani was back in the Dodgers lineup for the second and final game of the Seoul Series, with a new interpreter working with him and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Ohtani did not speak to reporters on Thursday, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts declined to comment on any matters relating to the situation.
Photo Credit: Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters via USA TODAY Sports
Don’t believe it. Ohtani is in it up to his ears. The Dodgers would be wise to suspend him pending further investigation. And sign JD Martinez ASAP.
Don’t be obtuse. Making ridiculous accusations based on nothing and even more ridiculous thinking that JD is a lateral replacement for Ohtani
It’s certain Dodger Haters will come out of the woodwork. Maybe a bit naive if you know Ohtani but he’ll be cleared of any wrongdoing. Actually Baseball needs him as much as the Dodgers do……
I’ve been a Dodgers fan since they moved to LA when I was 7. I’ve lived all over the US and the only team that has always been mine was the Dodgers. But I’ve seen this before, and to think that Ohtani was just so naive that he could be so easily duped out of $4.5 million – by a guy he was with every day – is pathetically naive.
What is naive is making judgements without verified facts, based on media reports, rumors and hysteria.
They are gaslighting us.
What if the Dodgers signed JD? It’s “only” twelve million dollars and he could play left field. Move T. Hernandez to right field and solidify the left side of the defense (sic). If that didn’t work, put JD at third base where he would definitely shore up the defense.
I believe the Dodgers are gaslighting us.