The start of the Dodgers’ season in South Korea was supposed to be a celebration, highlighted by Shohei Ohtani’s team debut. Instead, the two-game series was overshadowed by an off-field saga involving Ohtani’s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.
Mizuhara was fired by the Dodgers hours after the season opener Wednesday, with the Los Angeles Times reporting that he allegedly committed “massive theft” against Ohtani.
The news was shocking for anyone who observed how close Ohtani and Mizuhara were during the two-time MVP’s tenure with the Angels, and it took an even more bizarre turn when an ESPN report detailed how Mizuhara found himself in severe gambling debt. Conflicting stories from Ohtani’s camp only fueled speculation about the situation, which Ohtani has yet to publicly address.
MORE: Full timeline of allegations against Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter
In his first time speaking publicly on the matter, Ohtani spent 10 minutes providing a statement on the situation at a press conference just three days before the Dodgers play their home opener against the Cardinals. The Los Angeles vehemently denied any knowledge of Mizuhara’s gambling and that his former interpreter was stealing money from his bank account, which Ohtani said he had no knowledge of.
“In conclusion, Ippei has been stealing money from my account and telling lies,” Ohtani said. “…I want to make it clear that I never bet on sports or woefully sent any money to the bookmaker. To summarize how I’m feeling right now, I’m beyond shocked. It’s really hard to verbalize how I’m feeling at this point.”
The Sporting News tracked live updates from Ohtani’s press conference regarding his former interpreter’s gambling controversy. Follow along below with the reigning MVP’s comments.
Shohei Ohtani press conference live updates
The Sporting News provided the full transcription of Shohei Ohtani’s press conference, through an interpreter.
5:56 p.m. — “I’m looking forward to focusing on the season. I’m glad we had this opportunity to talk, and I’m sure there will be a continuing investigation moving forward. Thank you very much.”
5:56 p.m. — “The season is gonna start so I’m going to let my lawyers handle matters from here on out and I am completely assisting in all investigations that are taking place right now.”
5:55 p.m. — “In conclusion, I want to make it clear that I never bet on sports or woefully sent any money to the bookmaker. To summarize how I’m feeling right now, I’m beyond shocked. It’s really hard to verbalize how I’m feeling at this point.”
5:54 p.m. — “At that moment, it was an absurd thing that was happening and I contacted my representatives. That’s when my representatives found out that Ippei had been lying the whole time and when I started contacting the Dodgers and my lawyers. The Dodgers and the lawyers at that moment found out as well that they had been lied to. My lawyers recommended since this is theft and fraud that we have the proper authorities handle the matter.”
5:53 p.m. — “Finally, when we went back to the hotel and talked one to one, that was when I found out that he had a massive debt. And it was revealed during that meeting that Ippei admitted to using my account to send money to the bookmaker.”
5:52 p.m. — “Prior to the meeting I was told by Ippei, ‘Hey, we should talk one on one in the hotel after the meeting,’ so I waited until then. Up until that team meeting, I didn’t know that Ippei had a gambling addiction and was in debt. Obviously, I never agreed to pay off the debt or make payments to the bookmaker.”
5:51 p.m. — “The first time I knew about Ippei’s gambling was after the first game [in Korea] when we had a team meeting in the clubhouse. During the team meeting, Ippei was speaking English and I didn’t have a translator on my side. But even with that, I kind of understand what was going on and could tell something was amiss.”
5:50 p.m. — “So Ippei obviously lied about, and didn’t tell me about the media inquiry, and has been telling everyone that he’s been communicating with me … and that hasn’t been true.”
5:49 p.m. — “Upon further questioning, it was revealed that it was actually, in fact, Ippei who was in debt and told my representatives I was paying off those debts. All of this has been a complete lie. “
5:48 p.m. — “Last weekend in Korea, media reached out to a representative in my camp, inquiring about my potential involvement in this sports betting. Ippei never revealed to me that there was this media inquiry Ippei told to the media and the representatives that I — on behalf of a friend — paid off debt.”
5:47 p.m. — “In conclusion, Ippei has been stealing money from my account and telling lies. Last weekend in Korea, media reached out to my camp inquiring about my potential involvement in sports betting.”
5:46 p.m. — “I never bet on baseball or any other sports, or asked somebody to do that on my behalf. I’ve never gone through a bookmaker to bet on sports. Up until a few days ago, I didn’t know this was happening.”
5:46 p.m. — “It’s been a tough week for fans and team officials,” Ohtani opens his press conference with. “I’m grateful the media has been patient. I’m very saddened and shocked that someone I’ve trusted has done this.”
5:45 p.m. — Ohtani is at the podium with a new translator, Will Ireton. He is the Dodgers current manager of performance operations and previously translated for Kenta Maeda.
When is Shohei Ohtani’s press conference?
Ohtani told reporters Sunday that he planned to address the media Monday. Ohtani will issue a prepared response at 4:45 p.m. ET. He will not take questions from the media.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts agreed with Ohtani’s decision to speak out, telling reporters Sunday, “I’m happy he’s going to speak — and speak to what he knows — and give his thoughts on the whole situation. I think it’ll give us all a little bit more clarity.”
Roberts’ comments could be interpreted as an indication that the saga is still weighing on the Dodgers as they prepare to resume their regular season following the trip to Seoul. Los Angeles suffered its first loss to the Padres in the hours after the news broke, though the offense did its part with 11 runs in a slugfest.
MORE: Legal expert explains next step in Shohei Ohtani interpreter controversy
How to watch Shohei Ohtani press conference today
The Dodgers announced ahead of Ohtani’s press conference that it will be broadcast on SNLA and MLB Network. No cameras will be in the interview room during his presser.
The Dodgers play one of their final spring training games Monday, but they don’t play until 9 p.m. ET. The game will not be broadcast nationally.
