Shohei Ohtani probe: MLB commissioner gives the latest on gambling investigation

Rob Manfred spoke about MLB‘s probe into the Dodgers superstar

Ohtani during his introduction at Dodger Stadium on Thursday.Lapresse

Major League Baseball last week began its investigation into bets allegedly placed by Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Shohei Ohtani, with money wired to a southern California bookmaker from the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar’s bank account. Ohtani has vehemently denied knowing anything about Mizuhara‘s activity and gambling on sports in general, but MLB and federal authorities are still looking into the situation as the 2024 baseball season begins.

Ohtani on Thursday did not seem overly distracted by the scandal, which has rocked baseball and sparked debate as to sports betting’s impact on American society. The Japanese slugger went 2-for-3 with a run scored in a 7-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium — and he will have to continue to block out the noise as the investigations rumble along.

Shohei Ohtani potentially gambling with interpreter in Angels dugout cuaght on video

Rob Manfred iterates hope for “short” investigation

Speaking to Chris Russo on MLB Network, commissioner Rob Manfred said that he hoped for a quick resolution to the Ohtani investigation, but he could not promise that it would all be over soon.

“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, and it’s really that simple,” he said on “High Heat.”

Surely, Manfred would rather have been talking about Opening Day and the start of the new season in the United States (the Dodgers and the San Diego Padres split a two-game series in Seoul last week that officially opened the 2024 season). But the complicated scandal that has ensnared Ohtani — a two-time MVP who is the game’s best player when fully healthy — has also piqued the interest of government agencies like the Internal Revenue Service, making it tough for Manfred to envision an imminent decision.

“It’s really difficult for the federal authorities to cooperate with us fully when they have their own ongoing investigation so I think this is one where we’ll have to proceed on our own,” he said.

Ohtani’s celebrity has only grown after he swapped the Los Angeles Angels for the Dodgers. Since signing a 10-year, $700 million contract in December, fascination has followed the structure of the deal that brought Ohtani to Dodger Stadium, and how sizable his impact will be in a season where he cannot pitch due to an elbow injury. The 29-year-old has also revealed publicly that he is married — a big admission for a player who attempted to keep his private life just that when he played for the Angels.