"It’ll give us a little bit more clarity" - Dave Roberts hopes Shohei Ohtani's media confrontation will end speculations around betting scandal
LA Dodgers fans were in shock when they learned that Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara had placed bets with an illegal bookmaker from Orange County. That led the Dodgers to fire Mizuhara with Ohtani's attorney putting out a statement that the Japanese slugger was a victim of "massive theft."
With the controversy raging, Ohtani has decided to address the media on Monday.
Manager Dave Roberts thinks it's a good idea and will bring clarity to the situation.
"I think it’s good. I think it’s the right thing to do. I’m happy he’s going to speak, speak to what he knows and give his thoughts on the whole situation. I think it’ll give us a little bit more clarity," Roberts said, via Dodgers Beat reporter Bill Plunkett.
MLB opens investigation after betting allegations against Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter
On Friday, the league announced an investigation into Ippei Mizuhara's betting scandal and subsequent theft allegations by Shohei Ohtani's attorney.
The MLB said that it has been "gathering information since we learned about the allegations involving Shohei Ohtani and Ippei Mizuhara from the news media."
According to NBC News, the theft allegation against Mizuhara comes after nine wire transfers of $50,000, totaling $4.5 million from Ohtani's account, were made to a bookmaking operation allegedly run by Matthew Bowyer, who is under federal investigation. A source familiar with the situation said that the wire transfers were made to an associate of Bowyer.
Meanwhile, Mizuhara's contrasting stories have added to the controversy. The former interpreter had initially said that the two-way star paid off his gambling debts but then changed his story, saying that Ohtani knew nothing about his betting. There's a lack of clarity regarding the situation, which fans hope will be addressed when Ohtani takes the mic at Monday's news conference.