Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts pointed out the positive effect of star Shohei Ohtani's involvement in a major betting scandal on the team's chemistry.
Despite being one of the biggest stories in sports recently, Ohtani's controversy doesn't necessarily spell doom for the team.
Roberts suggested that it might now be easier for Dodgers coaches and staff to communicate directly with the 29-year-old sensation, given that his disgraced interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, is no longer with the team.
"Actually, I would argue that it's going to help relations internally. Because there's no longer a buffer. I think that I've already seen it the last couple of days. I think Shohei has been even more engaging with his teammates, and I think there's only upside with that," the 51-year-old said on Tuesday, March 26.
The Dodgers will be playing their final preseason exhibition game against the Los Angeles Angels on the same day.
Dodgers appoint new interpreter for Shohei Ohtani
Mizuhara, who previously served as Ohtani's interpreter, was replaced by Dodgers employee Will Ireton.
The Tokyo-born Ireton had previously worked as a translator for Japanese pitcher Kenta Maeda from 2016 to 2018.
Following his translation duties, Ireton transitioned to the Dodgers' baseball operations department, where he held various roles, including his most recent position as performance operations manager.
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