While the Los Angeles Dodgers certainly anticipated more media attention with Shohei Ohtani part of the organization, his first season with the team has brought about unwanted headlines due to Ippei Mizuhara’s alleged illegal gambling.
Mizuhara, Ohtani’s former interpreter and close friend, is said to have fallen millions in debt by way of sports betting. His participation was brought to lie during a federal investigation into Southern California bookmaker Mathew Bowyer, which turned up wire transfers from a bank account in Ohtani’s name.
The Dodgers fired Mizuhara on Opening Day, and he’s since become the subject of investigations by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and MLB.
Ohtani’s representatives have claimed he’s the victim of theft but not accused Mizuhara as being the perpetrator. Meanwhile, Ohtani himself has yet to publicly discuss the matter but that is changing with a press conference at Dodger Stadium on Monday.
Where to watch Shohei Ohtani’s press conference
Ohtani’s press conference on Monday is going to be televised live at 2:45 p.m. PT on SportsNet LA and MLB Network. Both networks carried Ohtani’s introductory press conference and had a live stream as well in December.
AM 570 L.A. Sports is also going to carry a radio broadcast that can be accessed through the iHeart Radio app as well.
Ohtani’s statement will be translated into English by Will Ireton, who has taken over as his interpreter in the wake of Mizuhara being fired. Ohtani is not expected to answer questions from media.
“I think it’s good,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Sunday, when it was first revealed that Ohtani planned to make his first public remarks.
“I think it’s the right thing to do. I’m happy he’s going to speak to what he knows and give his thoughts on the whole situation. I think it will give us all a little bit more clarity.”
Ohtani is expected to remain in the Dodgers lineup for the next two exhibition Freeway Series games. He went 0-for-2 with one walk and one strikeout on Sunday.
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