Main League Baseball introduced final week that it has officially launched an investigation into the state of affairs involving Dodgers’ star Shohei Ohtani and his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.
This got here a number of days after the Dodgers fired Mizuhara, and Ohtani’s camp accused him of “massive theft” with regard to utilizing Ohtani’s funds to repay greater than $4.5 million in playing debt.
Then, earlier this week, Ohtani spoke out about the incident in a 12-minute press conference wherein he didn’t take any questions, however answered a variety of the questions that arose all through the final week.
And on Thursday’s Opening Day throughout the league, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred went on MLB Network’s High Heat, and spoke about myriad subjects, together with Ohtani.
“Given the way in which the story unfolded, it’s vital by way of assuring our followers concerning the integrity of the sport that we confirm the issues that Mr. Ohtani has mentioned, and it’s actually that easy,” Manfred mentioned to Chris Russo. “It’s actually troublesome for the federal authorities to cooperate with us absolutely once they have their very own ongoing investigation so I believe that is one the place we’ll must proceed on our personal. We by no means have the sort of authority that legislation enforcement folks have, however we handle to get these investigations finished and discover the info and I’m certain we’ll on this one.”
Russo requested Manfred how lengthy the investigation may take, and Manfred had a easy reply:
“I hope brief, however I simply don’t know.”
Ohtani isn’t expected to face any discipline throughout the ongoing investigation.
He made his Dodger Stadium debut as a member of the Dodgers on Thursday, and went 2-for-3 with a double, a stroll and a run scored in Los Angeles’ 7-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Picture Credit score: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports activities
