Shohei Ohtani says he's sad, shocked over Mizuhara's gambling and theft allegations

Months after Shohei Ohtani signed a huge deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the offseason, the team fired his interpreter over gambling and theft allegations. (Harry How/Getty Images)

Baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani said Monday that until a couple of days ago, he didn't know that his now-fired interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was involved in alleged gambling and theft.

In his first public comments about the controversy that has clouded the start of MLB's 2024 season, the Japanese-born Ohtani, who spoke through an interpreter, said he was saddened and shocked at hearing the allegations.