ANAHEIM, Calif. — Ippei Mizuhara was more than just an interpreter for Shohei Ohtani, he was a go-between for coaches and teammates, and a facilitator of everything the two-way star needed on and off the field.
With that in mind, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was asked if he was worried that there would no longer be someone like Mizuhara in Ohtani's life.
“Actually, I would argue that this improves internal relationships because there's no longer a buffer,” Roberts said Tuesday before the Dodgers' final spring training contest against the crosstown Los Angeles Angels. Ta. “I've already seen it. I think Shohei has become even more active with his teammates in the last few days. I think that can only be positive.”
Mizuhara, who came to the United States with Ohtani more than six years ago and became one of his best friends, was traded by the Dodgers last Wednesday following media scrutiny over at least $4.5 million in wire transfers from Ohtani's bank account. I was fired. A Southern California bookbinding business is under federal investigation.
The Ohtani camp initially said Ohtani transferred funds to cover Mizuhara's gambling debts and brought Mizuhara up for an interview with ESPN on Tuesday night, explaining the details in the process. The next day, a statement from Burke Brettler LLP, the law firm representing Ohtani in the case, instead said the two-way star was “the victim of grand theft.” Later, Mizuhara told ESPN that Ohtani knew nothing about his debt and that Ohtani had not transferred the money.
Ohtani echoed similar sentiments during a 12-minute media session on Monday, half of which was devoted to translations, in which he said Mizuhara's original events were “a complete lie.”
Many questions remain unanswered, especially given the drastic change in storyline, but Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman echoed the sentiments of many of his teammates, saying he “supports Shohei.” Ta.
“Obviously, I think it's good for him to be able to talk about it,” Freeman said Tuesday. “I know he was looking for a little more answers and clarity to talk to the media. I think it was good for him to get that off his chest.”
The Dodgers will use Will Ireton, the team's performance operations manager, to act as Ohtani's translator, at least for now. Ireton, who Roberts called his “secret weapon,” was initially used as an interpreter for Japanese pitcher Kenta Maeda, and in recent years has been helping with preliminary work on pitching and hitting.
But Iaton won't be around as often as Mizuhara, who rarely left Ohtani's side. For some on the Dodgers, Mizuhara's presence felt like a burden, even if that wasn't his intention. Coach Roberts admitted with a wry smile that it was “difficult” to always go through Suwon to access Otani.
However, Mizuhara carried out one baseball-related job after another for Ohtani. He helps coordinate schedules, writes scouting reports, monitors workouts, occasionally serves as a throwing partner, and even squats behind home plate wearing catcher's gear when Ohtani hacks during the Home Run Derby. Sometimes it was. More importantly, even though Ohtani's English has improved steadily in recent years, Mizuhara remains a key liaison between Ohtani and his coaches, expected to bridge the large language barrier. That's what I was doing.
Roberts didn't seem worried that Ohtani would no longer have that help.
“I think he's very capable,” Roberts said. “He's lived long enough. That's natural, but if he needs help or support, he has it.”