Shohei Ohtani in Dodgers’ Lineup With New Interpreter For Game 2

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts plugged Shohei Ohtani into the number-2 slot in the Dodgers’ lineup for the second game of the Seoul Series against the San Diego Padres on Thursday, even as questions swirl around Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.

The Dodgers fired Mizuhara from his position as Ohtani’s interpreter after multiple published reports connected Mizuhara to payouts from Ohtani’s account to an alleged sports gambling operation. The Dodgers issued a statement about the situation Wednesday.

Roberts declined comment in response to multiple questions about Mizuhara’s exit from the team. However, he’s already named a temporary successor who will interpret for Ohtani and Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 2.

Roberts said he doesn’t believe the situation will serve as a distraction for Ohtani or any other Dodgers players. The manager said he didn’t discuss with Ohtani the possibility of not playing Thursday.

“I think that he’s ready to play and that was not considered,” Roberts said.

Photo Credit: Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters via USA TODAY Sports

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