Shohei Ohtani's Dodgers Debut Subject to Scary Bomb Threat, Final Decision Has Been Made by MLB

Shohei Ohtani - Team Korea v Los Angeles Dodgers

(Photo : Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - Shohei Ohtani (#17) of the Los Angeles Dodgers prepares at bat in the 5th inning during the exhibition game between Team Korea and Los Angeles Dodgers at Gocheok Sky Dome on March 18, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea.

The upcoming 2024 MLB season opener between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres was overshadowed by a disturbing bomb threat that threatened to stop the event from happening.

The highly anticipated contest is scheduled for Wednesday, March 20, at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency stated that they received a report from an employee at South Korea's Consulate General in Vancouver, Canada, around 6 a.m. local time regarding an email threat.

The threat aimed to detonate a bomb during the match with the intent to harm Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and other players.

The game will start at 7:05 p.m. local time (6:05 a.m. Eastern Time).

Dodgers-Padres bomb threat turns out to be false

Authorities in Seoul subsequently verified that the bomb threat directed at the Gocheok Sky Dome was not deemed credible.

Police identified the responsible individual with a history of making false claims.

The first game of a two-game series between the Dodgers and Padres in South Korea, significant for Ohtani's debut with his new club in the regular season, will proceed as planned, per a spokesperson from Major League Baseball.

"MLB, along with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and other local officials, will continue to monitor the situation closely and take any appropriate steps throughout the event," the league said in a statement.