Shohei Ohtani's interpreter fired by Dodgers after allegations of unlawful playing, theft

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter and shut buddy has been fired by the Los Angeles Dodgers following allegations of unlawful playing and theft from the Japanese baseball star.

Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was let go from the group Wednesday following studies from The Los Angeles Occasions and ESPN about his alleged ties to an unlawful bookmaker. The group is in South Korea this week as Ohtani makes his Dodgers debut.

“In the midst of responding to latest media inquiries, we found that Shohei has been the sufferer of a large theft and we’re turning the matter over to the authorities,” legislation agency Berk Brettler LLP stated in a press release Wednesday.

Mizuhara has labored with Ohtani for years and been a continuing presence with him in main league clubhouses. When Ohtani left the Los Angeles Angels to signal a $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers in December, the membership additionally employed Mizuhara.

The group didn’t have a right away remark Wednesday. Mizuhara’s firing was confirmed by Main League Baseball.

Ohtani’s stardom has unfold worldwide, even because the two-way participant has remained largely media-shy. The information of his latest marriage to Mamiko Tanaka shocked followers from Japan to the U.S.

On Tuesday, Mizuhara informed ESPN that his bets have been on worldwide soccer, the NBA, the NFL and faculty soccer. MLB guidelines prohibit gamers and group staff from wagering — even legally — on baseball and likewise ban betting on different sports activities with unlawful or offshore bookmakers.

“I by no means wager on baseball,” Mizuhara informed ESPN. “That’s 100%. I knew that rule… Now we have a gathering about that in spring coaching.”

The Related Press couldn’t instantly attain Mizuhara for remark Wednesday.