The Los Angeles Dodgers have been very busy since the end of their 2023 season.
They got their hands full from the free agency market to roster overhaul.
With the MLB Opening Day just around the corner, they have to be a little busier but not the type that directly affects the games.
Team superstar Shohei Ohtani is being hounded by off-court controversy after the news of his former interpreter's involvement in a gambling scandal surfaced.
Ippei Mizuhara, who also happens to be Ohtani's long-time friend, is allegedly at the center of a $4.5 million gambling debt to an illegal bookmaker. He reportedly used the AL MVP's bank account for his transactions.
Ippei Mizuhara denies Shohei Ohtani involvement
While spectators and gossipers try to drag Ohtani into the scandal, Mizuhara already clarified that his client is not connected at all.
Ohtani already fired the interpreter.
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As for the Dodgers, they are working to prevent scandals from distracting their promising campaign.
According to coach Dave Roberts, Ohtani does not bring up the incident to him, and he is more focused on their upcoming season.
Dodgers reporter Fabian Ardaya wrote:
"Shohei Ohtani hasn't addressed the Dodgers, and while he's spoken with Dave Roberts the last couple days, it hasn't been about the ongoing Ippei Mizuhara saga," Roberts said.
Roberts said it's "good" that Ohtani would address the situation, and it hasn't been a distraction.
MLB wants an investigation into Ohtani's interpreter
While Ohtani's camp tries not to get distracted by Mizuhara's gambling scandal, many perceive it as a massive one as the league now tries to get involved.
The MLB recently announced that it has asked the Department of Investigation to begin a "formal process" to investigate the matter.
Berk Brettler LLP law firm, which represents Ohtani, cleared that the Dodgers star is the victim and that they already turned over the matter to the authorities.
Related article: MLB Issues Strong Statement on Shohei Ohtani Gambling Scandal After Dodgers Fire Interpreter
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