Top journo makes troubling observation about Shohei Ohtani's team's unawareness of Ippei Mizuhara's $16,000,000 theft
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani was strangely unaware of the multi-million-dollar theft going around him, as per ESPN journalist Bill Rhoden.
During the December 22 edition of ESPN’s The Sports Reporters, Rhoden and the panel discussed Shohei Ohtani and his lack of knowledge regarding the scandal involving his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara.
Mizuhara was indicted on charges stemming from defrauding Ohtani of roughly $16 million used to place bets on sporting events, including baseball. Rhoden said regarding the scandal:
“That was a deal killer for Major League Baseball.”
The panel clarified that Shohei Ohtani was uninvolved in the allegations, but Rhoden highlighted:
“This could wreck his career. This could wreck Major League Baseball. Awful.”
To Rhoden’s point, fellow panelist Jeremy Schaap underscored:
“Don’t you find it at all strange that this interpreter was funneling this much money away from Shohei? Now, I can see that Shohei didn’t know. But you’re telling me that an agent didn’t know? You’re telling me his tax attorney didn’t know? You’re telling me his marketing guy didn’t know? That all of this money was going away? I find that a little peculiar.”
While the panel debated the point, the consensus was that Ohtani was clear of any wrongdoing. Eventually, Mizuhara bore the brunt of the charges, pleading guilty to two counts of bank fraud and tax evasion. He's currently awaiting sentencing, as his court date was moved from Dec. 20 to Jan. 25.
Could Shohei Ohtani pitch in 2025?
An issue that came up during the panel discussion was the possibility of Ohtani pitching in 2025. The consensus is that the Dodgers don’t need Ohtani to pitch in 2025, as they have assembled a formidable starting rotation.
It’s worth pointing out that Ohtani is still recovering from his second Tommy John surgery. His first procedure was done in 2018 while he was with the Los Angeles Angels.
After a fantastic 2023 season, hitting 44 home runs and driving in 95 runs to go with a 10-5 record with a 3.14 ERA in 23 starts, the Japanese sensation required Tommy John surgery. While he recovered from the procedure, Ohtani became the first 50/50 in big league history, primarily as a DH for the Dodgers.
Nevertheless, there's a possibility for Ohtani to return to the mound at some point in 2025, but history doesn’t seem to be on his side.
Only a handful of pitchers have made it back to the Majors following a second Tommy John procedure. Perhaps the most successful has been Nathan Eovaldi who has racked up a 40-25 record with a 3.81 ERA following his second surgery.
Perhaps the Dodgers might not want to risk their $700 million investment getting injured once again. If that’s the case, Ohtani could remain a primary DH and potentially play a position like first base.
Eventually, it’s uncertain whether Shohei Ohtani will ever take the mound again. If he does, it could be a spectacle unlike any other in baseball.