Shohei Ohtani Feb 15, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) stands in as a batter during pitcher drills during a Spring Training workout at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
By Chris Novak on

Major League Baseball announced they will open an investigation following the unearthing of shocking allegations against Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter.

The Los Angeles Dodgers fired Ohtani’s interpreter after he became the subject of gambling theft allegations towards Ohtani. A reported $4.5 million was stolen from Ohtani by the interpreter to recover deep gambling losses.

This story has been developing since it became unearthed earlier this week during the Seoul Series, where Ohtani and the Dodgers played the San Diego Padres.

Of course, the announcement itself became the subject of criticism, as MLB delivered it at nearly 6 p.m. Eastern on a Friday night while March Madness has everyone’s attention. MLB reporter Evan Drellich was among many to note the awkward timing.

Similar reactions ensued, but it’s clear that there’s some mystery here. The timing and changing of stories make for an awkward situation as MLB prepares for Opening Day. Gambling has run amok these days and seems more pervasive and evident daily. Stories like this don’t help matters or deter it. It only exacerbates the idea that major problems may be on the way if they aren’t already there.

MLB is doing its due diligence by doing this investigation and while it’s sure to note Ohtani hasn’t been implicated in anything, that doesn’t assure that he won’t. Time will tell to see how things pan out, but this story isn’t going away anytime soon.

[Evan Drellich]

About Chris Novak

Chris Novak has been talking and writing about sports ever since he can remember. Previously, Novak wrote for and managed sites in the SB Nation network for nearly a decade from 2013-2022

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