Ippei Mizuhara isn’t the only interpreter being let go this season.
On Thursday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reported that the Chicago Cubs have dismissed Toy Matsushita, who had been serving as the interpreter for outfielder Seiya Suzuki for the past two-and-a-half seasons.
While the Cubs did not provide a specific reason for Matsushita’s firing, Mooney notes that it was described as an “organizational decision” to pursue a different direction.
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Matsushita’s role as Suzuki’s interpreter began when Suzuki transitioned to Major League Baseball in 2022. Throughout his tenure, Matsushita facilitated communication between Suzuki and the U.S. media, as well as conveyed messages from Cubs coaches and front office members to Suzuki.
Moving forward, these responsibilities will be divided between two Cubs staff members, including Edwin Stanberry, who also serves as the interpreter for Shota Imanaga, another Japanese player on the Cubs roster.
Seiya Suzuki, a 29-year-old outfielder, has had a notable career, being a five-time All-Star in Japan before joining the MLB. This season, he has posted a .270 batting average, with 13 home runs and 45 RBIs in 72 games.
However, Suzuki’s performance has seen its ups and downs, and the dismissal of his interpreter Matsushita adds another layer of complexity to his current season.
