Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is at the center of investigations by law enforcement authorities and by Major League Baseball after his longtime interpreter was accused of running up at least $4.5 million in gambling debts with an illegal bookmaker.
While Ohtani's camp insists the two-time MVP has no involvement with gambling and was the victim of a "massive theft," the mere connection of someone who's been so close to Ohtani since even before he joined MLB six years ago is a major concern for all involved -- Ohtani, the Dodgers and the national pastime in general.
Here's what we know at the moment:
At the moment, no. The Dodgers fired longtime interpreter Ippei Mizuhara after the initial story broke last week. From every indication, Ohtani does not gamble.
All things Dodgers: Latest Los Angeles Dodgers news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.
His former teammates with the Los Angeles Angels, with whom he spent the first six seasons of his MLB career, tell USA TODAY Sports they had no idea that Ohtani or Mizuhara had the slightest interest in sports outside of baseball.
“I’m just shocked, and I’m as curious as anyone to see what comes out," Angels outfielder Mickey Moniak said. “I have zero idea what’s going to transpire, or what has transpired over how many years. But great friends, great people. Ippei was as part of the team as anyone else."
MLB "has been gathering information since we learned about the allegations,” commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement issued Friday afternoon.
Ohtani's interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, is a lifelong friend and training partner of the two-time MVP. He has been at Ohtani's side since Ohtani's MLB career began in 2018. When Ohtani signed his record-shattering $700 million deal with the Dodgers this offseason, Mizuhara, 39, was hired by the team as well.
He has served as Ohtani's interpreter in press conferences, in the clubhouse, in the dugout and in Ohtani's few public appearances.
Nothing yet, although he is expected to make his first public comments Monday afternoon in Los Angeles.
The only official word from Ohtani's representatives came last Wednesday, when his lawyers released a statement saying, "In the course of responding to recent media inquiries, we discovered that Shohei has been the victim of a massive theft, and we are turning the matter over to the authorities."
Sports gambling is illegal in California, which is why the situation is so concerning. ESPN has reported that at least $4.5 million in wire transfers was sent from Ohtani's bank account to a Southern California bookmaking operation run by Matthew Bowyer. That operation is currently under federal investigation.
Mizuhara has claimed he didn't know sports betting was prohibited in California.