Baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani is set to take the field in Game 2 of the Seoul Series just hours after a bombshell scandal rocked his team, the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team fired Ohtani’s longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, following accusations that he stole money from Ohtani to fuel a gambling problem. Ohtani is a central figure in the controversy, a victim of alleged betrayal by a trusted member of his inner circle.

It’s a stunning development that adds an intense layer of drama to an already high-profile international series. The Dodgers and their opponent, the San Diego Padres, are playing a two-game set in Seoul, a showcase for the sport’s global appeal. The news of the scandal casts a shadow over the event and raises questions about how Ohtani, one of baseball’s most revered and marketable stars, will cope with both on-field challenges and off-field turmoil.

Shohei Ohtani’s focus is in question

Despite the turmoil, Ohtani will slot into a potent Dodgers lineup that features several All-Stars. Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Will Smith provide the dangerous heart of the order.

Max Muncy, Teoscar Hernández, and James Outman add power potential, while Jason Heyward and Gavin Lux bring veteran leadership. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Ohtani’s fellow Japanese star, takes the mound, giving the Dodgers strong pitching to match their hitting prowess.

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The scandal casts a pall over Shohei Ohtani’s preparation for a crucial game in a high-stakes series. The Padres boast a formidable lineup, and the two-way star Ohtani will need laser-like focus to excel against them as both a hitter and a pitcher. The mental strain of the situation could easily take its toll and impact his performance.

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How the situation will affect Ohtani’s long-term comfort and outlook with the Dodgers is also up in the air. Can this bond be mended, or does this scandal leave an irreparable rift within the organization?

The answers will become clearer in the coming weeks, but as of now, the baseball world awaits Ohtani’s first at-bat in Game 2, a dramatic moment laden with both sporting intrigue and personal turmoil surrounding the scandal.

Scandal erupts as Series opens

The allegations against Mizuhara were first reported by the Los Angeles Times. According to the report, Shohei Ohtani’s attorneys alerted the Dodgers after discovering suspicious financial activity. Mizuhara has been Ohtani’s interpreter since the Japanese phenom joined the MLB in 2017, acting as a vital bridge of communication and a source of comfort as Ohtani adjusted to American life and baseball.

Shortly after the story broke, renowned MLB insider Jon Heyman tweeted the following: “Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara has indeed been fired by the Dodgers after Ohtani’s lawyers accused Mizuhara of stealing from Ohtani in relation to a gambling problem, as the LA Times reported. He has been Ohtani’s longtime interpreter. Yamamoto fortunately has his own interpreter.”

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The Dodgers responded swiftly, issuing a terse confirmation of Mizuhara’s firing: “The team can confirm that interpreter Ippei Mizuhara has been terminated. The team has no further comment at this time.” It’s unclear when Shohei Ohtani learned of the situation, but the timing—on the eve of a game—is undoubtedly a major distraction.