The Los Angeles Dodgers signing Shohei Ohtani to a record-setting $700 million contract generated plenty of media headlines and also stirred up excitement throughout the organization.
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and manager Dave Roberts were among those to immediately rave about Ohtani, and teammates have followed suit as well.
That type of support became all the more key in light of Ippei Mizuhara being fired as Ohtani’s interpreter due to illegal sports betting.
As for what Ohtani brings on the field, Miguel Rojas raved about the two-way star and getting an opportunity to be his Dodgers teammate, per Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“This is a talent that might come once a lifetime,” he said. “So this is a privilege for us, and especially for me as a player, to be in the same clubhouse as a player like him.
“I’m really happy I can call him my teammate, and having the opportunity to be on the same field with him for the first time, it’s a privilege. I’m not going to take it for granted. I’m gonna enjoy the opportunity of playing with him, and hopefully we can get to celebrate together at the end of the year.”
The buzz surrounding Ohtani steadily increased throughout the offseason and despite all his accomplishments, he took a humble approach to being in Spring Training with the team for the first time.
Rojas has been part of various team profiles from his years with the Miami Marlins. Between bad rosters, rebuilding and fringe-competing clubs, the veteran infielder is taking is basking in his time with the Dodgers and their standing as a World Series favorite.
Shohei Ohtani cooperating with investigations
In his first public comments since Mizuhara’s gambling activity came to light, Ohtani said he never bet on baseball or any other sports, and his bank account was impermissibly used.
Ohtani also stated he’s cooperating with all investigations into the matter.
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