The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is facing federal charges related to his alleged theft of millions from Ohtani, according to a source with direct knowledge of the investigation. Ippei Mizuhara, 39, is in negotiations to plead guilty and the investigation is racing toward a conclusion, according to the New York Times. Ohtani's attorneys alleged that he had been the victim of a "massive theft," and Ohtani himself said in a statement that he never bet on baseball or any other sports and had no knowledge of Mizuhara's alleged actions. The investigations are ongoing, but at this time, it doesn't appear that Ohtani is in any way or involved or potentially in line to face any kind of suspension from MLB.UPDATE: A federal criminal complaint says Mizuhara stole more than $16 million from Ohtani to pay for his illegal betting, and he's been charged with bank fraud.

Los Angeles Dodger designated hitter Shohei Ohtani had another nice game at the plate in Monday's 4-2 win over the Twins. Ohtani went 3-for-5 with two doubles, a solo home run, and a strikeout. The 29-year-old has been every bit as good as fantasy managers expected to start the season, slashing .345/.383/.673 with three HR, 12 runs scored, eight RBI, and a stolen base in 60 plate appearances. Ohtani continues to show why he is a top fantasy player even when he is only hitting.

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani belted a 430-foot home run in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Giants. The blast was a solo shot in the seventh inning off of LHP Taylor Rodgers. Ohtani ended 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored, and is now hitting .270 (10-for-37) with three doubles, a home run, four RBI, seven runs scored, one stolen base and a 3:9 BB:K. It's somewhat of an underwhelming start for the superstar, although with Mookie Betts off to a scorching start and monopolizing many of the RBI opportunities, it seems like there's not much left over for Ohtani batting behind him. Not to worry, however, as the counting stats will come with the ebbs and flows of the long season. The Dodgers get a day off on Thursday before a three-game series with the Cubs in Chicago on Friday.

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (elbow) continued his every-other-day throwing program on Tuesday and made 50 throws from around 60 feet on flat ground. Ohtani underwent Tommy John surgery last September but was cleared to begin a throwing program late last month. While the 29-year-old two-time American League MVP won't pitch at all in his first season with the Dodgers, the team isn't ruling out the possibility of Ohtani playing some outfielder later this year. Still, that's probably unlikely, and fantasy managers shouldn't hold out hope that he might gain outfield eligibility in 2024. The Japanese sensation will continue to serve as LA's primary designated hitter. In his first eight games for the Dodgers, Ohtani has gone 8-for-33 (.242) with three RBI and a stolen base. Ohtani is still looking for his first homer in Dodger blue.

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani (elbow) played catch Monday after addressing the media. It was the first reported time of him throwing a baseball since his second elbow surgery. Manager Dave Roberts said that he doesn't expect Ohtani to pitch until 2025 but said he may be able to play the field in 2024 if he can recover quickly enough. The 29-year-old should provide plenty of fantasy value with his bat only, as he is hitting .423 this spring with his new team.

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani faced the media on Monday and said he's never bet on sports or knowingly paid any gambling debts accumulated by his long-time interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, who was fired by the Dodgers five days ago in the wake of media inquiries surrounding at least $4.5 million in wire transfers sent from Ohtani's bank account to a Southern Californian bookmaking operation that is under federal investigation. "Ippei has been stealing money from my account and has been telling lies," Ohtani said. "I never bet on sports or have willfully sent money to the bookmaker." Federal prosecutors and Major League Baseball are conducting investigations into the matter, but Ohtani is expected to continue to play while it all unfolds.

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is scheduled to speak with reporters on Monday, according to manager Dave Roberts. Ohtani is currently under investigation by Major League Baseball due to allegations surrounding his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. There is speculation that Ohtani and Mizuhara could be involved in an illegal gambling situation. The fact that Ohtani is going to address the media is refreshing. Hopefully, the 29-year-old can give some information to help end this situation before it lingers into the regular season.

Major League Baseball announced on Friday that they have opened an investigation into allegations involving Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. "Major League Baseball has been gathering information since we learned about the allegations involving Shohei Ohtani and Ippei Mizuhara from the news media. Earlier today, our Department of Investigations (DOI) began their formal process investigating the matter," MLB said in a statement. The Dodgers fired Mizuhara on Wednesday following accusations of a "massive theft" that involved him making sports bets with an illegal bookmaker in California. While the 29-year-old Ohtani currently isn't facing any discipline from the league, this is a developing story that could eventually drastically affect his draft stock if he faces a lengthy suspension. Stay tuned.

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is not currently facing discipline, nor is he believed to be under active investigation by the league, according to an MLB official. Ohtani's long-time interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was fired by the Dodgers on Wednesday following accusations of "massive theft." Ohtani went 1-for-5 with a sacrifice fly in the 15-11 loss to the San Diego Padres on Thursday and didn't answer questions postgame and was escorted out of the clubhouse by a team public relations official. There was no consideration of having Ohtani sit out Thursday's game, according to manager Dave Roberts. Mizuhara is being accused of using Ohtani's money to place bets with an illegal bookmaker who is under federal investigation. As of right now, the 29-year-old Ohtani isn't facing any discipline, but this is a developing situation.

The Los Angeles Dodgers' interpreter for two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani was fired on Wednesday after questions surrounding at least $4.5 million in wire transfers sent from Ohtani's bank account to a bookmaking operation set off a series of events. Ippei Mizuhara incurred gambling debts to a bookmaking operation that is under federal investigation, according to multiple sources. Mizuhara was accused by Ohtani's attorneys of engaging in a "massive theft" of Ohtani's funds. Multiple sources told ESPN that Ohtani does not gamble, and the funds covered Mizuhara's losses. The federal investigation is ongoing, but it appears that Ohtani is innocent in all of this and never bet on sports, so this incident shouldn't leave him open to any kind of discipline from Major League Baseball.

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani went 2-for-5 with a pair of singles , a stolen base and RBI in Wednesday's Opening Day contest against the San Diego Padres in Seoul, South Korea. Ohtani signed the biggest contract in sports history this offseason and came out of the gate strong in his first game. Ohtani's RBI would come in the top of the eighth inning when he added insurance to the Dodgers lead in a four-run inning for the club. Ohtani is coming off of another dominant year at the plate and now joins a team surrounded with superstars that should lead to even more run producing numbers. The left-handed slugger offers value across the board and can safely be selected as a first-rounder.

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (elbow) has been cleared to start a throwing program later this week, six months after having his second elbow surgery. Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who performed Ohtani's surgery last Sept. 19, said that if Ohtani "goes along with the throwing program as we have it scheduled," he could begin throwing to hitters in late September. However, manager Dave Roberts reiterated that the team doesn't expect Ohtani to pitch until 2025. The skipper did acknowledge the possibility that the Dodgers could consider playing Ohtani in the field later this year if his arm has recovered enough. The 29-year-old Japanese superstar played a total of 8 1/3 innings in the outfield in his six seasons with the Angels (all in 2021), so it's unlikely we'll see him in the outfield much, if at all, later in 2024.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani picked up three more hits on Tuesday and continues to swing a scorching hot bat. Versus the San Francisco Giants, Ohtani went 3-for-4 with a run and two RBI. With his new team, Ohtani hasn't slowed down a bit and has 11 hits over his first 19 Cactus League at-bats. In addition to the hits, he already has driven in nine runs with two homers and a stolen base. Ohtani signed the richest contract in baseball history this offseason and his ability on offense to provide both power and speed is a big reason why. The 29-year-old can safely be taken in the first-round of upcoming drafts.

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) said his right-elbow rehab as a hitter is essentially complete. Case in point: He has played in back-to-back spring training games and will be back in the Cactus League lineup on Wednesday. Ohtani had elbow surgery last year and will not be available to pitch at all in his first season with the Dodgers, but he'll operate as their primary designated hitter in the heart of a stacked lineup. In four spring training games so far with LA, the Japanese superstar has gone 5-for-10 with a homer, triple, five RBI and three runs scored, so he looks to be in midseason form. Ohtani has been the American League MVP in two of the last three years while also hitting 40 plus homers and stealing 20 bases in both those seasons. He's one of the most dangerous hitters in all of baseball.

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) will bat second in his Cactus League debut on Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox. Manager Dave Roberts said that would be a hint for where Ohtani bats in the regular season. He's serving as the DH behind leadoff man Mookie Betts. The 29-year-old Japanese superstar had right-elbow surgery last September and has been eased into action in his first spring training, but he's fully expected to be ready to serve as LA's full-time DH when the Dodgers kick the regular season off in late March in a two-game series against the San Diego Padres in Korea. There's a chance that Ohtani's elbow could affect him early on at the plate, but it shouldn't be a reason to pass on Ohtani's explosive bat late in the first round or early in the second in upcoming fantasy drafts.

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) is reportedly set to make his spring training debut on Tuesday. The superstar slugger has been able to take batting practice and appears to be progressing well from his elbow surgery. The assumption is that Ohtani will be ready for full-time DH duties once the regular season begins. Sadly, Ohtani won't be able to pitch this season but smacked over 40 home runs as a two-way player last season. Possibly, Ohtani can hit 50 homers as a full-time hitter this season. Regardless, Ohtani should be a great fantasy asset as a hitter.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) will make his Cactus League debut with the team at some point next week. The Dodgers are slow-playing the two-time American League MVP this spring after he had right-elbow surgery last year. It will keep the 29-year-old Japanese sensation from pitching in his first year in LA, but Ohtani will serve as the Dodgers' full-time DH and is fully expected to be ready for the two-game, season-opening series against the San Diego Padres at the end of March. He said he thinks around 50 at-bats in spring games and in live batting practice sessions will be enough for him to be ready to go for the regular season. Ohtani has immense power and will be even more valuable in the middle of the Dodgers' stacked batting order.

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) won't play in Cactus League games this weekend but could be in the lineup next week, according to manager Dave Roberts. The Dodgers aren't rushing their prized free-agent acquisition into spring training games after he had right-elbow surgery following the 2023 season. The 29-year-old Japanese superstar said he wants to get around 50 at-bats in spring games, on back fields, and in live batting practice sessions before the start of the two-game series in Korea against the San Diego Padres on March 20-21. Despite coming off elbow surgery and not pitching at all in his first year in LA, Ohtani will be a highly sought after bat in fantasy leagues as early as late in the first round.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that he had a conversation with designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow), and Ohtani wants 50 at-bats this spring to be ready for the regular-season opener in Korea against the division-rival San Diego Padres. The at-bats could come as a combination of live batting practice, simulated games on the back field and in Cactus League games. The 29-year-old Japanese superstar had right-elbow surgery last September and won't pitch at all in his first year in LA, but he will open the regular season as the full-time DH. Ohtani could get off to a slow start at the plate as his surgically repaired right elbow adjusts, but he should still be in consideration for fantasy managers late in the first round after winning his second American League MVP in 2023 in the last three years.