The Riverside Press-Enterprise
MLB, IRS are investigating Ohtani’s former interpreter
Major League Baseball has opened a formal investigation into illegal gambling and theft allegations involving Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.
Mizuhara was let go from the team Wednesday following reports from the Los Angeles Times and ESPN about his alleged ties to an illegal bookmaker.
“Major League Baseball has been gathering information since we learned about the allegations involving Shohei Ohtani and Ippei (Mizuhara) from the news media,” the commissioner’s office said in a statement Friday. “Earlier today, our Department of Investigations began their formal process investigating the matter.”
The IRS confirmed Thursday that Mizuhara and Mathew Bowyer, the alleged illegal bookmaker, are under criminal investigation through the agency’s Los Angeles Field Office. IRS Criminal Investigation spokesperson Scott Villiard said he could not provide additional details.
Ohtani and the Dodgers were in Seoul, South Korea, for their opening series against the Padres when reports were published about alleged ties between the 39-yearold Mizuhara and an illegal bookmaker. The teams returned to the U.S. after Thursday night’s game and MLB did not make a public comment until announcing the investigation on Friday.
ANGELS REACT TO OHTANI INTERPRETER NEWS >> The bombshell story about Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter came as a surprise to those in the Angels’ clubhouse.
The Angels, who had an off day Thursday, reconvened as a group Friday morning for the first time since the news broke Wednesday afternoon about Ohtani and interpreter Ippei Mizuhara being connected to a federal investigation involving sports gambling.
Mizuhara initially told ESPN that Ohtani paid $4.5 million to cover his gambling losses, and then the story changed and Ohtani’s representatives claimed Mizuhara stole the money.
“Shocked as anyone,” Angels outfielder Mickey Moniak said. “Definitely had no inclination and information that would lead to that. Definitely shocked.”
Other players who had been with the Angels during all or parts of Ohtani’s
six seasons with the team either said they were surprised or declined to comment entirely.
“Weird,” said left-hander Patrick Sandoval, who had spent as much time with Ohtani as anyone over parts of the previous five seasons. “That’s all I can really say about it. Really weird.”
While players did not want to go on the record, speaking privately there was a consensus that Ohtani did not seem to show interest in other sports. That would seem to support Mizuhara’s assertion that he was betting for himself, rather than placing bets for Ohtani. Mizuhara reportedly also said that none of the bets were on baseball.
— Jeff Fletcher METS LAND MARTINEZ >> J.D. Martinez has a new home, agreeing to a $12 million, one-year contract with the New York Mets on Thursday, according to a person familiar with the deal.
The person spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement was pending a physical. The New York Post first reported the move.
Martinez, 36, hit .271 with 33 homers and 103 RBIS in just 113 games last year for the Dodgers. Back and groin problems limited his availability but he added a National League All-star selection to the five times he made it in the AL with Detroit and Boston. BAUER SET TO FACE YANKEES >> Trevor Bauer says while he wants to return to the major leagues, he’s concentrating on his brief stint with Mexico’s Diablos Rojos. Bauer, 33, was introduced by the Diablos Rojos on Friday and is to pitch Sunday in the opener of a pair of exhibition games against a New York Yankees split squad.
Bau was given an unprecedented two-season suspension without pay by baseball Commissioner Rob Mandred in 2022 for violating the league’s domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy after a San Diego woman said he beat and sexually abused her, an accusation the pitcher denied.
Bauer was released by the Dodgers in January 2023. Last season he played with Yokohama of Japan’s Pacific League.
Bauer was not charged with any crime. The woman who made the accusations settled the legal dispute with the pitcher, Bauer’s lawyers have said.