MLB Network reporter Jon Morosi issued an apology late Friday night for reporting inaccurate information regarding Shohei Ohtani’s free agency.
“Today, I posted reporting that included inaccurate information that Shohei Ohtani was traveling to Toronto,” Morosi wrote on social media. “I regret the mistake and apologize to baseball fans everywhere. I am deeply sorry for letting you down.”
Morosi reported Friday morning that Ohtani was close to making a decision on where he will sign and that his signing later that day was a distinct possibility. He added that the Blue Jays were a finalist for the two-way superstar, sparking speculation that Ohtani was close to signing with Toronto.
Later, fans began to track a private jet that was flying from Southern California to Toronto, believing that Ohtani may have been on the plane. On Friday afternoon, Morosi reported that Ohtani was on his way to Toronto despite not having a deal in place.
However, Morosi’s report turned out to be false. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale first refuted Morosi’s report, followed by several other reporters, as it turned out that Ohtani actually was home in Southern California the whole time.
Jerome Miron/USA Today network
It turns out that Robert Herjavec, the billionaire businessman and investor best known for his Shark Tank appearances, was on the plane fans were tracking from California to Toronto, and he debunked the idea that Ohtani was on the flight.
Ohtani still could choose to play in Toronto, but it didn’t happen on Friday despite all the attention from fans and media types.
