- Ohtani will not pitch in the 2024 season as he continues to recover
- This came after the Japanese star addressed the media about the Ippei situation
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Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani saw pitching for the first time since his surgery last year, which will rule him out of the 2024 season.
The reporters in attendance saw the star throw the ball around – the first time Ohtani had done so in front of cameras, reporters and the public.
He did so after a press conference in which he defended himself and claimed that longtime friend and translator Ippei Mizuhara had lied to him and stolen millions from his bank account to pay off a gambling debt.
The star said he was “very saddened and shocked” that Mizuhara did this, adding (through an interpreter): “I never bet on baseball or any other sport and have never asked anyone to do it on my behalf and am never went through a bookmaker. .’
“In short, Ippei stole money from my account and told lies,” Ohtani said.
Shohei Ohtani was first seen throwing in front of cameras and reporters
The two-way player is still recovering from surgery to repair a torn UCL in his right elbow
Ohtani will not pitch in the 2024 season as he continues to rehab and recover
The star says Mizuhara never told him about the media investigation into the interpreter’s gambling behavior. He also says Mizuhara used the money from Ohtani’s bank account to pay off the debt without Ohtani’s knowledge.
Ohtani says he only found out last week when the team was in Korea about Mizuhara’s betting and what he had done with the star’s bank accounts.
“To sum up how I feel right now, I’m just beyond shocked. It’s really hard to put into words how I feel right now,” Ohtani said.
‘The season is about to start. I will of course let my lawyers handle the matters from now on, and I will fully assist with any investigations that are now taking place.”
Ohtani was recently expected to begin a throwing regimen as he recovers from a torn UCL in his throwing elbow.
He won’t be able to pitch this season as he recovers, but he will be able to swing a bat, with the Dodgers planning to use him as a designated hitter all season.
Ohtani and the Dodgers will take on the Japanese star’s former team, the Los Angeles Angels, in an exhibition at Dodger Stadium on Monday night.