Former MLB player A.J. Pierzynski QUESTIONS Shohei Ohtani’s innocence in Ippei Mizuhara’s $4.5 million gambling case

A.J. Pierzynski and Shohei Ohtani [Image Credit: Imago]

Shohei Ohtani’s 2024 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers took a wild turn following former interpreter Ippei Mizhuhara’s gambling case investigation. The incident took place during the Seoul Series as the MLB world turned upside down over the $4.5 million missing case. The league has started investigating the matter but no official statement has been made yet.

Amidst the ongoing chaos, former MLB star A.J. Pierzynski cast doubt on Ohtani’s innocence saying it’s highly unlikely to not know about his missing dollars. The investigation revealed there were nine takeouts of $500,000, that further questioned his involvement in Mizuhara’s betting addiction.

During the investigation, Mizuhara said to his team, and representatives that ‘Shotime’ knew about his debts and lent him money willingly. However, the case took a twisted turn when Ohtani refused the allegations saying “I found out he had a massive debt” after they went back to the hotel during the Spring series game.

I want to give the benefit of the doubt to Shohei…But…I just don’t know how you can have multiple large deposits taken out of your account…That’s where it gets a little weird to me.

A.J. Pierzynski on Outkick.
Pierzynski even questioned how his accountant never informed him about nine of his deposits getting taken out, even if the star player himself had no idea about his accounts. Not to mention, Ippei Mizuhara’s betting rumors were already going wild, yet he seemed to have a solid relationship with Ohtani on the day the news broke.

It was only when Mizuhara walked back to Ohtani’s hotel room for “dinner” plans, that he talked about his ongoing massive “theft” rumors. “The circumstances don’t add up” Pierzynski noted. The ambiguity over the case is far from over, while the MLB season rages on with 30 teams taking the field. Hopefully, the story behind the scenes will soon be made known to the public following the league’s investigation.
Related: “Hope Sho is good,” Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani’s ex-Angels teammates WORRIED as MLB investigates Ippei Mizuhara’s betting case

Rob Manfred wishes Shohei Ohtani’s involvement in gambling case to end shortly

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred hopes Shohei Ohtani’s involvement in the betting case ends on a positive note. With the season in full swing, Ippei Mizuhara’s gambling investigation continues to haunt the team as well as their star player. Although investigations take time, Manfred wishes the time to be “short” instead of being a distraction in the long run, but “I just don’t know.”
Rob Manfred and Shohei Ohtani [Image Credit: Imago]
The situation has been skeptical since Ippei Mizuhara switched sides on his confession. On the other hand, Ohtani’s straight-up denial has made many fans and experts question his involvement as the bookie. Manfred commented,

Given the way the story unfolded, it’s important in terms of assuring our fans about the integrity of the game that we verify the things that Mr. Ohtani has said...

Rob Manfred on MLB Network.
Mizuhara admitted betting on other sports apart from baseball, his gambling addiction, and the pile of debts he accumulated. While the IRS is continuing its investigation on Ohtani’s former interpreter and alleged bookmaker Matthew Bowyer, they are yet to fill in the details to MLB.

Manfred stated that the league will start their own investigation on the case even though they don’t have the same access and authority as the officials. Fans are hoping to get a clearer picture of the case soon. For now, the Dodgers will focus on their game in hopes of a playoff chance this year.