MLB Launches Investigation Into Shohei Ohtani, Ippei Mizuhara Situation

Major League Baseball announced on Friday that it has officially launched an investigation into the Shohei Ohtani, Ippei Mizuhara situation.

MLB released this statement:

“Major League Baseball has been gathering information since we learned about the allegations involving Shohei Ohtani and Ippei Mizuhari from the news media. Earlier today, our Department of Investigations (DOI) began their formal process investigating the matter.”

Mizuhara has been accused of “massive theft” of Ohtani’s funds to pay off his gambling debt to an alleged illegal bookmaker.

It’s been reported that Ohtani did not know the extent of the situation until Mizuhara addressed the Dodgers on Wednesday following their first game in the Seoul Series.

Mizuhara was fired by the Dodgers earlier this week.

According to ESPN, MLB cannot force Mizuhara to cooperate since he no longer works for an MLB team.

Additionally, Ohtani could refuse cooperation as a member of the MLB Players Association:

“Ohtani also could invoke his right, under an interpretation of arbitration precedent, to refuse cooperation because of a criminal investigation that’s already underway. Traditionally, MLB has argued he can invoke such an exception if the player is a target of the investigation, which Ohtani is not believed to be.”

— Via ESPN

So far, there is no indication Ohtani will not play while the matter is being investigated:

Related Reading:

Bombshell Report Questions Shohei Ohtani’s Interpreter’s Credibility About Basic Details

Shohei Ohtani’s Interpreter Now Being Criminally Investigated, Per Report

Dodgers Release Statement Regarding Shohei Ohtani, Ippei Mizuhara Situation

Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports