Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced Will Ireton has replaced Ippei Mizuhara as Shohei Ohtani’s new interpreter for the time being.
Roberts made the revelation hours before the Dodgers played the finale of the Seoul Series at Gocheok Sky Dome. Ireton takes over as Ohtani’s new interpreter with the Dodgers due to Mizuhara being fired for allegedly stealing money from the two-way star in order to partake in illegal gambling activity.
“The Dodgers are aware of media reports and are gathering information,” the club said in a statement earlier in the day. “The team can confirm that interpreter Ippei Mizuhara has been terminated. The team has no further comment at this time.”
Mizuhara’s purported betting came to light amid a federal investigation into Southern California bookmaker Mathew Bowyer.
“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,” Berk Brettler LLP, the law firm representing Ohtani, said in a statement.
Although Roberts was willing to divulge how the Dodgers are planning to proceed with an interpreter for Ohtani, he declined to offer any other details.
“I can’t comment on it. Can’t comment,” answered Roberts when asked what message Mizuhara shared with the Dodgers clubhouse before leaving the team.
Roberts then was asked when the Dodgers decided to part ways with Mizuhara.
“Anything with that, the meeting, can’t comment. Sorry,” he reiterated.
Roberts then was asked if he was surprised to learn about Mizuhara’s alleged stealing from Ohtani for the purpose of impermissible betting.
“Again, can’t say anything. Not going to comment,” he said.
Roberts did note there was not any consideration to keeping Ohtani out of the Dodgers lineup for the second game against the San Diego Padres.
Along with serving as an interpreter for Ohtani, Ireton is going to handle in-game translating and communication for Yoshinobu Yamamoto as well. It previously was the responsibility of Mizuhara because MLB rules only permit teams to have one interpreter in the dugout during games.
Yoshihiro Sonoda remains Yamamoto’s interpreter for media interviews.
Dodgers profile: who is Will Ireton?
Ireton previously worked as a Dodgers interpreter for Kenta Maeda from 2016-2019 and remained with the team when the right-hander was traded to the Minnesota Twins.
Ireton then shifted into player development and baseball operations, holding various roles such as coordinator of performance and his current position of manager of performance operations. Ireton is well-respected within the Dodgers organization and developed the nickname, “Will The Thrill.”
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