Shohei Ohtani revealed that the accusation against his translator, Ippei Mizuhara, for stealing millions from him significantly impacted his ability to sleep.
Mizuhara was dismissed by the Los Angeles Dodgers following the disclosure of a federal gambling probe on March 21.
He has agreed to plead guilty to bank and tax fraud related to a sports betting scheme, where he allegedly embezzled nearly $17 million from the two-time AL MVP.
Ohtani, speaking through a new translator before a rained-out game at the New York Mets, shared that the situation initially disrupted his sleep, which affected his mental state off the field. However, he emphasized that he has regained confidence in separating his off-field issues from his performance on the field.
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“I think the thing that affected me the most is just being able to sleep well” Ohtani said through a translator on Monday before the Dodgers’ series opener at the New York Mets was rained out. “Now that I’ve been able to do that, I also came to realize that how I feel off the field mentally shouldn’t affect my abilities, and I have every confidence in my own ability that I could be able to still play without being affected by anything that happens off the field.”
In his first season of a historic 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers, Ohtani began Monday leading the major leagues with a .336 batting average, 13 home runs, 35 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases.
Despite playing with a bruised left hamstring incurred on May 16, he continues to excel, holding the highest total bases in the leagues and ranking third in OPS.
Ohtani, who will turn 30 on July 5, is managing his injuries while maintaining impressive stats. He acknowledged a lingering hamstring issue that is improving, though it affected his speed, evident when he narrowly completed a triple in Cincinnati.
Despite not pitching this year due to a second ulnar collateral ligament tear in his right elbow, Ohtani is focused on daily progress and looks forward to pitching next season. His continued rehabilitation includes throwing at moderate intensities, building up his pitch count and distance gradually.
