Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers' star player, is facing significant changes following the departure of his longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, who was fired due to allegations of gambling and theft. Mizuhara had been Ohtani's constant companion and interpreter since his move to the majors from Japan.
Despite the upheaval caused by Mizuhara's exit, the Dodgers are optimistic that this change could have a positive impact on Ohtani's relationships with his teammates and his overall game. Manager Dave Roberts believes that the absence of a buffer like Mizuhara has already led to Ohtani being more engaged with his teammates, fostering better internal relations.
Ohtani and Mizuhara spent countless hours together at Angel Stadium over the past six years, with Mizuhara assisting Ohtani in various aspects of communication with coaches and players, including strategic advice and rehab plans.
Returning to Angel Stadium without Mizuhara, Ohtani was welcomed back by the Angels with a tribute video before his at-bat for the Dodgers. The crowd showed their support for Ohtani, who acknowledged the cheers before striking out during the game.
Will Ireton will now serve as Ohtani's interpreter, although he won't be as inseparable from Ohtani as Mizuhara was. Ohtani, who recently got married, is now adjusting to life without his daily connection to English speakers.
Teammates and opponents have noted that Ohtani understands English but may not always feel comfortable speaking it. Roberts mentioned that Ohtani has been making an effort to step out of his comfort zone in recent days.
Ohtani addressed the situation with Mizuhara, denying any involvement in gambling activities and asserting that Mizuhara had stolen money to send to an illegal bookie. The Dodgers players and coaches appreciated Ohtani's transparency on the matter.
Will Ireton, the Dodgers' manager of performance operations, will take over as Ohtani's interpreter. Ireton, who has been with the team since 2016, has played various roles in game preparation and was instrumental in the Dodgers' recruitment of Ohtani and other Japanese players.
Roberts expressed gratitude for Ireton's versatility and support, highlighting his contributions to the team's success both on and off the field.
