Shohei Ohtani “did not appear at the Dodgers clubhouse while media was allowed in.” The Washington Post’s Chelsea Janes reported Thursday.This comes in the wake of bombshell statements leveled at the interpreter for allegedly being involved in “grand theft” – using the Two-Way Superstar’s funds to place bets with alleged illegal bookmakers.
As other Dodgers were on the field stretching and taking batting practice in preparation for Game 2 of the Seoul Series against the Padres at Gocheok Sky Dome in South Korea, reporters said, “Ohtani came out of the dugout.” He was also photographed waiting, saying, “Let’s catch him.” , added by janes.
“To be fair, Ohtani didn’t take a hit on the field yesterday either, and he rarely actually takes a hit. But he came in for a stretch yesterday,” Janes wrote. .
Ohtani, who signed a blockbuster 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers in December, entered Thursday’s game with San Diego leading Los Angeles 12-9 heading into the seventh inning.
The 29-year-old Ohtani singled in his first at-bat, then hit three long flies.
It’s been a dizzying 24 hours for the two-time AL MVP. As reported by ESPN On Wednesday, the apparent theft by interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was announced at $4.5 million.
Ohtani’s name originally came up in an investigation into Orange County, Calif., resident Matthew Boyer, which was later investigated by the Dodgers star’s representatives. Considering Suwon’s “actions” After being contacted by the Los Angeles Times regarding this matter.
Things took a strange turn Wednesday when ESPN reported that Ohtani’s publicist said the MLB star transferred funds to cover Mizuhara’s gambling debts.
After Mizuhara detailed the series of events, Otani’s spokesperson denied the interpreter’s statements and told the magazine that a statement would be released by his lawyer.
“In the course of responding to recent media interviews, we learned that Shohei was the victim of grand theft and have decided to refer this matter to authorities,” West Hollywood law firm Burke Buttler said in a statement. he told the Post in a statement.
The Dodgers announced Wednesday that Mizuhara has been relieved of his duties.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, “I had no comment on what Ippei Mizuhara said to the team last night. According to MLB.comsaid, “It’s ultimately up to Shohei Ohtani.”
