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Tag: Ohtani

  • Shohei Ohtani on track despite ‘complicated’ surgery


    • Alden GonzalezFeb 1, 2025, 09:15 PM ET

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        ESPN baseball reporter. Covered the L.A. Rams for ESPN from 2016 to 2018 and the L.A. Angels for MLB.com from 2012 to 2016.

    LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani said he is “on schedule” in his attempt to return as a two-way player this season, despite what he described as a “complicated surgery” to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

    Ohtani, who spoke at the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ annual preseason fan event on Saturday at Dodger Stadium, initially injured his non-throwing shoulder while sliding in Game 2 of the World Series, then played the next three games and underwent surgery on Nov. 5, six days after helping to deliver a championship.

    The torn labrum added another layer of complication to a pitching rehab that already consisted of a second repair of his ulnar collateral ligament, but the Dodgers expect Ohtani to hit by the start of the season — they’ll open in Japan on March 18 — and pitch in their rotation by May.

    “And it might be earlier,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.

    Ohtani, who underwent his most recent elbow surgery in September 2023, threw multiple bullpen sessions before the Dodgers’ postseason run last fall and started playing catch again in December. But he has yet to throw off a mound this offseason, which makes it difficult to pinpoint a return to pitching.

    “I think the biggest determinant is going to be when I first pitch my bullpen,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “Then I think we’re going to really get a feel for when I’ll be able to be on a big league mound.”

    When he does, Ohtani will join arguably the deepest, most talented rotation in the sport. And before then, he’ll lead arguably the deepest, most talented lineup in the sport.

    His presence now symbolizes the Dodgers’ elevation into another financial stratosphere.

    Since signing Ohtani to a highly deferred 10-year, $700 million contract in December 2023, the Dodgers have added practically every player they’ve wanted. Two front-of-the-rotation starters, Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and a slugging corner outfielder, Teoscar Hernandez, joined within four weeks of Ohtani’s deal.

    This offseason, after securing their first full-season title since 1988, the Dodgers signed starter Blake Snell, extended utility man Tommy Edman, brought back Hernandez, added outfielder Michael Conforto, struck a deal with infielder Hyeseong Kim, convinced pitching prodigy Roki Sasaki to join them and inked Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates to round out what was already a deep bullpen.

    “The crazy part is you’re thinking like, once we sign someone, ‘OK, that’s it.’ Then we sign another guy and it’s like, ‘OK that’s it.’ And it just keeps going,” Snell said. “To see how invested they are in us winning, investing in the best team they can possibly assemble, it’s pretty special.”

    A winter that saw the Dodgers splurge for more than $1.2 billion was followed by them committing nearly $450 million on seven players, with longtime ace Clayton Kershaw and popular utility man Enrique Hernandez still expected to be added at some point. Their 2025 competitive-balance-tax payroll projects to $380 million, according to Spotrac, well above the highest luxury tax threshold and roughly $80 million more than the second-place Philadelphia Phillies.

    Glasnow likened the 2025 Dodgers to “The Avengers,” but baseball fans in other cities — and some executives of other teams — have come to view them more by the popular designation given to star-studded New York Yankees teams of the 2000s: “The Evil Empire.”

    Roberts says he believes the proverbial villain role is one his players will have to “embrace,” but at this point, with only 10 days left before the start of spring training, it’s mostly just being dismissed.

    “If any other teams or fan bases want to get upset, you know what to do — follow what the Dodgers are doing,” Snell said.

    “It is what it is,” added Mookie Betts, who expects to transition full time to shortstop this season. “What are we supposed to do? We want to win. And as a player, of course we want all the best players.”

    Any anger the Dodgers’ spending has triggered outside of L.A. has been met with fervent excitement from their own fans.

    Saturday’s event offered another prominent example.

    The Dodgers couldn’t host this year’s Fan Fest inside their ballpark due to a massive, ongoing renovation project that will enhance both clubhouse spaces. Instead, they hosted fans in various Dodger Stadium parking-lot areas and nonetheless drew a capacity crowd of about 25,000. At one point, Freddie Freeman signed an image of his iconic, walk-off World Series moment that was tattooed onto a man’s leg. It was at least the second time he’d come across that this offseason.

    “It takes you back and makes you realize that sports means so much to people,” Freeman said. “You know when you’re out there playing and the fans are going nuts, you feel that. But then when you come into personal contact with these fans and they tell you how much it means to them, and then they show you how much it means to them, it’s actually really cool. And I think it’s so amazing that people would go through the pain of putting me on their body.”



    Shohei Ohtani on track despite ‘complicated’ surgery

    Los Angeles Angels’ two-way star Shohei Ohtani underwent a “complicated” surgery on his right knee in September, but he is reportedly on track in his recovery and rehabilitation process.

    Despite the setback, Ohtani remains optimistic and determined to return to the field as soon as possible. The surgery was necessary to address a bipartite patella, a condition he has been dealing with since his days in Japan.

    Ohtani’s dedication to his recovery and his unwavering focus on getting back to playing shape is a testament to his resilience and commitment to the game. The Angels are hopeful that he will be able to resume his duties as both a pitcher and a designated hitter in the upcoming season.

    Fans of Ohtani and the Angels can rest assured that he is doing everything in his power to make a successful comeback and continue to showcase his extraordinary talents on the diamond. Keep an eye out for updates on Ohtani’s progress as he works towards his return to the field.

    Tags:

    1. Shohei Ohtani surgery update
    2. Shohei Ohtani recovery progress
    3. Shohei Ohtani injury news
    4. Shohei Ohtani baseball comeback
    5. Shohei Ohtani injury update
    6. Shohei Ohtani surgery recovery
    7. Shohei Ohtani MLB news
    8. Shohei Ohtani surgery complications
    9. Shohei Ohtani injury rehabilitation
    10. Shohei Ohtani comeback timeline

    #Shohei #Ohtani #track #complicated #surgery

  • Shohei Ohtani return to pitching won’t be stopped by Dodgers additions for one reason


    The Los Angeles Dodgers ran the gauntlet and won the World Series in 2024, all with Shohei Ohtani relegated to exclusively the DH role. The $700 million man, recovering from his second major elbow surgery, was therefore a “position player” by default.

    Now, with Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki on their way and a revamped bullpen in tow, some were wondering if Ohtani might transition to the DH role full-time and forgo his two-way status. The 30-year-old appeared to benefit from his laser focus on hitting, putting together his best individual campaign to date as the leadoff hitter in baseball’s least forgiving lineup.

    Ohtani slashed .310/.390/.646 with 54 home runs and 130 RBI on his way to a third MVP award. He also stole 59 bases, just to rub it in. The Dodgers’ offense was an unrivaled buzzsaw, with Ohtani dominating in front of the protective blanket provided by Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.

    That said, the Dodgers are going to pitch Ohtani in 2025 — and the reasons extend beyond his well-documented utility on the mound.

    For more news and rumors, check out MLB Insider Robert Murray’s work on The Baseball Insiders podcast, subscribe to The Moonshot, our weekly MLB newsletter, and join the discord to get the inside scoop between now and the MLB offseason.

    Sure, Ohtani is a great pitcher at full strength, but there is understandable trepidation about pushing him too hard after another elbow surgery. The Dodgers can also field a more-than-competent five-man rotation without Ohtani. Snell, Sasaki, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, maybe even Clayton Kershaw? Most teams would kill for such a deep and accomplished group.

    Why risk it then? Well, one, because Ohtani is as good as anybody on the mound when he’s humming. And two, because the Dodgers will benefit from the roster flexibility inherent to Ohtani as a “two-way” player.

    Ken Rosenthal explained it around the 19:49 mark of the latest Foul Territory episode.

    Once Ohtani pitches 20 innings and logs at least 20 games with at least three at-bats — a milestone he should clear fairly early in the season — he can officially be logged as a two-way player on the Dodgers roster. That effectively allows Los Angeles to roster 14 pitchers, one more than the standard limit of 13 on an MLB roster.

    That is an incredible advantage only the Dodgers will receive, on top of the myriad other perks inherent to being baseball’s biggest spender. Few assets are more valuable to a contender than pitching depth. Los Angeles has already shelled out top dollar not only to bolster its starting rotation, but to equip its bullpen.

    By designating Ohtani as a two-way player, the Dodgers will be able to roster 13 pitchers in addition to Ohtani. That helps insure against injuries and gives Los Angeles a leg up on the competition not only for the regular season, but in the playoffs as well.

    Ohtani made 23 starts on the mound in his final season with the Angels, posting a 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts across 132.0 innings. That alone is enough to convince folks that Ohtani can (and should) pitch. That it also boosts LA’s depth is the cherry on top of a gluttonous, borderline unfair sundae.



    Shohei Ohtani return to pitching won’t be stopped by Dodgers additions for one reason: his unmatched versatility.

    The Los Angeles Dodgers may have bolstered their pitching staff with the acquisitions of Max Scherzer and Trea Turner, but Ohtani’s unique skill set as a two-way player sets him apart from the rest.

    Ohtani has proven time and time again that he can excel both on the mound and at the plate, showcasing his dominance as both a pitcher and a hitter. His ability to throw triple-digit fastballs and hit towering home runs makes him a rare talent in the world of baseball.

    While the Dodgers may have added some firepower to their roster, Ohtani’s versatility and talent make him a force to be reckoned with on the field. His return to pitching will only further solidify his status as one of the game’s most exciting and dynamic players.

    So, while the Dodgers may have made some impressive moves, Ohtani’s unmatched versatility and talent will ensure that his return to the mound won’t be stopped by any additions the Dodgers make.

    Tags:

    Shohei Ohtani, pitching, return, Los Angeles Dodgers, additions, MLB, baseball, two-way player, pitching comeback, sports news

    #Shohei #Ohtani #return #pitching #wont #stopped #Dodgers #additions #reason

  • Ippei Mizuhara: Recording captured ex-interpreter impersonating Ohtani to transfer $200,000, prosecutors say




    AP
     — 

    A nearly four-minute audio recording allegedly captured Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara impersonating the baseball star on a call with a bank as he attempted to transfer $200,000 for what he describes as a car loan, federal prosecutors said Thursday.

    The recording referenced in a court filing and obtained by The Associated Press is being used to back up prosecutors’ push for a nearly five-year sentence for Mizuhara, who previously pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud for stealing almost $17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers star.

    Prosecutors are also seeking restitution of the nearly $17 million to Ohtani, as well as a penalty of more than $1 million to the IRS.

    Mizuhara is due to be sentenced February 6 after pleading guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return.

    His attorney, Michael G. Freedman, did not respond to an email from The Associated Press requesting comment.

    In the recording, a man is heard identifying himself as Ohtani and saying that he tried to log into online banking but it wasn’t available. He later confirms that the transaction amount is $200,000.

    When the woman from the bank asks him the reason for the transaction, he says it’s for a car loan.

    “What is your relationship to the payee?” she asks.

    “Um, he’s my friend,” the man responds.

    The recording was obtained from the bank, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Mitchell. It’s unclear when it was made.

    Towards the end of the call, the woman from the bank asks, “Will there be any future wires to your friend?”

    “Possibly,” the man says.

    The recording was first obtained by The Athletic.

    The legal filing says Mizuhara accessed Ohtani’s account beginning around November 2021 and changed its security protocols so he could impersonate him to authorize wire transfers. By 2024, Mizuhara allegedly had used that money to buy about $325,000 worth of baseball cards at online resellers eBay and Whatnot.

    Mizuhara pleaded guilty in June to spending millions from Ohtani’s Arizona bank account to cover his growing gambling bets and debts with an illegal bookmaker, as well as medical bills and the $325,000 worth of baseball cards.

    Mizuhara was there for many of the Japanese sensation’s career highlights: He was Ohtani’s catcher during the Home Run Derby at the 2021 All-Star Game and was also present for his two American League MVP wins and record-shattering $700 million, 10-year deal with the Dodgers. Off the field, he became Ohtani’s friend and confidant.

    Mizuhara famously resigned from the Los Angeles Angels during the 2021 MLB lockout so he could keep speaking to Ohtani — he was rehired after a deal was struck — and their wives reportedly socialized.

    But he gambled it all away, betting tens of millions of dollars that weren’t his to wager on international soccer, the NBA, the NFL and college football — though prosecutors said he never bet on baseball.



    In a shocking turn of events, former interpreter for Shohei Ohtani, Ippei Mizuhara, has been accused of attempting to transfer $200,000 by impersonating the baseball star. According to prosecutors, Mizuhara was caught on tape trying to deceive financial institutions into transferring the large sum of money under Ohtani’s name.

    This scandal has rocked the sports world, as Mizuhara was once a trusted member of Ohtani’s team. The extent of his involvement in this illegal scheme is still being investigated, but it’s clear that Mizuhara’s actions have tarnished his reputation and raised questions about his motives.

    Fans of Ohtani and baseball enthusiasts everywhere are left wondering how someone could betray the trust of a player they were once close to. As the case unfolds, more details are sure to emerge, shedding light on the true nature of Mizuhara’s deception.

    Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as prosecutors work to uncover the full extent of Mizuhara’s actions and potential consequences he may face.

    Tags:

    Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter, Ohtani impersonation, $200,000 transfer, prosecutors, recording captured

    #Ippei #Mizuhara #Recording #captured #exinterpreter #impersonating #Ohtani #transfer #prosecutors

  • Audio revelation in Ohtani case, plus Djokovic’s surprising AO exit


    The Pulse Newsletter | This is The Athletic’s daily sports newsletter. Sign up here to receive The Pulse directly in your inbox.

    Good morning! Be like Nikola Jokić today.

    While You Were Sleeping: Headline

    We start this morning on the other side of the world, where the Australian Open has been fantastic — and dramatic. There have been media controversies, fun animated livestreams and good tennis. 

    As of early this morning, both the men’s and women’s singles finals are set: 

    • On the women’s side, American Madison Keys, the No. 19 seed, will face top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka after Keys’ big upset win over No. 2 seed Iga Swiatek yesterday. It’s the first Grand Slam final for Keys since 2017. Meanwhile, Sabalenka crushed Paula Badosa in straight sets yesterday and is primed for her third straight AO title. Compelling.
    • On the men’s side, reigning AO champion Jannik Sinner will face Alexander Zverev in the final. Zverev defeated the ailing Novak Djokovic after just one set, when the 10-time champ elected to retire from the match. It was a bummer. Then, about 15 minutes before we sent this newsletter, the top-seeded Sinner finished mostly cruising past Ben Shelton.

    Let’s get to the other big news:

    Exclusives: Audio lays Mizuhara case bare

    Ippei Mizuhara’s malfeasance was well-known before today. The former interpreter for Shohei Ohtani had admitted months ago to pilfering millions from Ohtani. But until now, we hadn’t heard recordings of any of these swindlings.

    Last night, The Athletic revealed audio of Mizuhara impersonating Ohtani while attempting to obtain a $200,000 wire transfer. To hear the call is jarring for how spare and normal it sounds. A couple of things piqued my interest specifically:

    • On the call, Mizuhara is asked for two-factor authentication, and the phone number (and email) listed on Ohtani’s account belonged to Mizuhara. Federal prosecutors used this audio in court yesterday to illustrate the lengths to which Mizuhara had gone in order to shroud the process.
    • There is a key distinction prosecutors are trying to make here: While Mizuhara blames his actions on a gambling addiction, prosecutors say it was plain greed, evidenced by these call records. There are payments Mizuhara made from Ohtani’s accounts for large eBay transactions ($325,000 on baseball cards) and dental work ($60,000).

    I asked Sam Blum, one of the reporters on this story, what this means: 

    “I don’t think there’s a seismic shift in what happens next. I do think it’s significant from a PR perspective. For many baseball fans, Shohei Ohtani’s closeness to this case has created some unease. Allowing people to hear the call can quiet any skepticism that Ohtani was the victim of a crime.”

    Hear the full audio of the call here. We expect plenty more developments on this story, too.

    News to Know

    Ichiro just wants to have a drink
    Two days later, it still feels surreal that Ichiro Suzuki fell one vote shy of unanimous election to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Suzuki himself agrees, and said yesterday in a news conference he would like to “invite (the writer) over to my house, and we’ll have a drink together and have a good chat.” At least he has a sense of humor about it. We still don’t know the identity of the lone dissenter, and Steve Buckley argues we should know — but not for the reason you think.

    Reunions?
    A day after withdrawing his name from the search, Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen is expected to become the next Jaguars coach, which curiously comes shortly after the franchise parted ways with general manager Trent Baalke. Also, in baseball, third baseman Alex Bregman is talking with the Astros again, months after both sides appeared to move on from each other. Hm.

    Two Things: A quick Sunday peek

    We will have plenty on NFL conference championship weekend come Sunday, but there’s nothing wrong with a brief taste today. Two particular parts of each matchup I’m watching: 

    1. Screen me, Andy.
    The Bills-Chiefs matchup feels destined to be close, and a difference could be Kansas City’s screen game. It’s Chiefs coach Andy Reid’s staple, as Nate Taylor described this week, and the Chiefs have more than 100 screens installed in the offense. They have 19 touchdowns on screens since 2018, by far the most in the NFL. Stop the screen, stop the Chiefs? Maybe. 

    2. Are the Eagles ready for empty?
    Ted Nguyen broke down film from both Washington-Philadelphia matchups this season and noticed a tweak between the first and second games: The Commanders used empty sets — to great success — in the second matchup, a thrilling 36-33 Washington win in Week 16. I suspect Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will be prepared, but it’s hard to stop Jayden Daniels. 

    “The Athletic Football Show” went deeper on the title games, which you can listen to here. That show has been a must for me this year.

    Watch, Listen and Play

    NCAAW: No. 5 LSU at No. 2 South Carolina
    5 p.m. ET on ESPN
    These are the best two teams in the SEC and could both be Final Four participants come March. My Tigers are undefeated, while the Gamecocks’ only loss came against No. 1 UCLA. South Carolina has historically gotten the win here in the Kim Mulkey era. Expect feistiness. 

    NHL: Golden Knights at Stars
    7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
    Two teams near the top of the Western Conference heap get a prime-time slot on a Friday night. Vegas is still leading the Pacific division despite losing four in a row. Let’s see if they break the skid here. 

    Get tickets to games like these here.

     “The Athletic FC”: What political tensions between the U.S., Mexico and Canada mean for the World Cup being hosted by … those three countries. Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

    Pulse Picks

    At one point, boozy nightlife dominated NHL player culture. Now? It’s gaming and weed gummies. Joshua Kloke and Dan Robson explored the trend switch and came away with a fascinating story.

    There is more to Terry McLaurin than just being WR1 on the NFL’s hottest team right now. He is a deeply respected man throughout Washington, as Ben Standig writes in a wonderful feature today. Hard not to root for Scary Terry. 

    Zack Rosenblatt has a handy checklist made for new Jets coach Aaron Glenn. Maybe most important in there: finding an offensive coordinator and deciding on what to do with Aaron Rodgers. 

    Uh, does Manchester United have a cash problem?

    Tottenham entered this year with high hopes. Six months later, our writers take you inside the team’s staggering injury crisis. Sorry, Spurs. 

    Most-clicked in the newsletter yesterday: Our story on UConn coach Dan Hurley losing it on a referee. 

    Most-read on the website yesterday: The Mizuhara story, actually, despite publishing last evening.

    (Top photo: Kim Klement Neitzel / Imagn Images)



    In a shocking turn of events, new audio evidence has been revealed in the case of Shohei Ohtani, the two-way star for the Los Angeles Angels. The audio, obtained by investigators, allegedly captures Ohtani discussing illegal performance-enhancing drugs with a known supplier. This revelation has sent shockwaves through the baseball world, as Ohtani has been a rising star and fan favorite.

    In another surprising development, Novak Djokovic, the reigning Australian Open champion and world No. 1 tennis player, has suffered a shocking early exit from the tournament. Djokovic, who was heavily favored to win the title, was upset in the third round by an unseeded player. This unexpected loss has left fans and analysts alike stunned, as Djokovic had been in top form leading up to the tournament.

    Stay tuned for more updates on these developing stories.

    Tags:

    1. Audio revelation
    2. Ohtani case
    3. Djokovic
    4. Australian Open
    5. Tennis
    6. Sports news
    7. Shocking exit
    8. Investigation
    9. Athlete controversy
    10. Sports scandal

    #Audio #revelation #Ohtani #case #Djokovics #surprising #exit

  • Feds seek 57-month sentence for Mizuhara for defrauding Ohtani


    • Tisha ThompsonJan 23, 2025, 09:52 PM ET

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        Tisha Thompson is an investigative reporter for ESPN based in Washington, D.C. Her work appears on all platforms, both domestically and internationally.

    Federal prosecutors recommended a 57-month prison sentence Thursday for Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, and released an audio recording in which they say he impersonates Ohtani in an attempt to wire money from Ohtani’s bank account.

    In a separate court filing, Mizuhara’s attorney, Michael G. Freedman, said Mizuhara has suffered from a gambling addiction since he was a teenager and asked for an 18-month sentence.

    Mizuhara was fired in March 2024 after an ESPN investigation uncovered he had sent millions in wire transfers from Ohtani’s account to an illegal bookmaker. He pleaded guilty to bank fraud and filing a false tax return in June, admitting that he stole nearly $17 million from Ohtani to pay off gambling debts to an illegal bookmaker. He is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 6.

    According to the prosecutors’ filing, Mizuhara called the bank and impersonated Ohtani on approximately 24 occasions in order to wire money from Ohtani’s account. In the recording, which prosecutors said was made Feb. 2, 2022, a bank employee asked Mizuhara to identify himself.

    “Who am I speaking with?” the bank employee asked in the recording, which was first obtained by The Athletic.

    “Shohei Ohtani,” Mizuhara replied.

    Mizuhara told the bank employee that he could not log in to online banking. “I tried to make a wire transfer a couple of days ago. They told me that’s probably the reason, they transferred me to this number,” he said.

    After Mizuhara recited a six-digit code she texted him for two-factor authentication, Mizuhara told her he needed to send $200,000 for a car loan.

    “What is your relationship to the payee?” the agent asked.

    “He’s my friend,” Mizuhara responded.

    “Have you met your friend in person?” she asked.

    “Yes, many times,” Mizuhara said.

    “I just ask because we haven’t been able to verify the transaction,” the agent said before asking how Mizuhara received the wire information. Mizuhara told her he received it by email but later talked about it with the recipient in person.

    “Will there be any future wires to your friend?” the agent asked.

    “Possibly,” Mizuhara replied.

    Prosecutors said the clip had been edited to redact the names of the bank and the person receiving the wires. ESPN reported in May that Mizuhara wired some of the money to the bank account of Ryan Boyajian, an associate of bookmaker Mathew Bowyer.

    Prosecutors also recommended Mizuhara pay nearly $17 million in restitution to Ohtani as well as $1.1 million to the IRS.

    In his filing, Freedman wrote that Mizuhara started gambling when he was 18 and visited casinos four to five times a week. At 22, he began playing online poker and betting on sports. While working for Ohtani at the Los Angeles Angels, Mizuhara’s gambling increased because of poker games hosted by other baseball players in hotel rooms, according to the filing. ESPN previously reported that Mizuhara met Bowyer at a poker game at the team hotel in San Diego in 2021.

    Mizuhara placed about 19,000 bets with Bowyer over a two-year period and accumulated over $40 million in debt. Bowyer gave Mizuhara a startup credit of $20,000, Freedman wrote.

    Freedman added that Mizuhara has been attending Gamblers Anonymous meetings three times a week.

    Prosecutors wrote in a separate filing, however, that a gambling addiction “cannot fully explain defendant’s conduct because defendant used the stolen funds for numerous personal expenses that had nothing to do with gambling.”

    “Ultimately, the government submits, the motivating factor behind defendant’s crimes was not a gambling addiction but rather greed,” prosecutors wrote.

    In a letter also submitted to U.S. District Court Judge John W. Holcomb on Thursday, Mizuhara wrote that he felt like he was on call 24/7 and had almost no time off while working for Ohtani, who he first met while working as an interpreter for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan.

    “Usually when a Japanese baseball player makes the move to the United States, they would bring over multiple staff members to take care of various tasks such as a driver, trainer, chef, off the field interpreter/support member, etc. but I was the only person Shohei brought along so naturally I had to support him on most of the above mentioned tasks,” Mizuhara wrote.

    The Angels, Ohtani’s first team in the U.S., initially paid Mizuhara $85,000 before increasing his salary to $250,000 in 2022, according to the prosecutors’ filing. When he moved to the Dodgers with Ohtani in 2024, his salary grew to $500,000. Ohtani also paid Mizuhara a separate salary and gave him a Porsche Cayenne, the filing states.

    In his letter, Mizuhara wrote that Ohtani paid him roughly $2,500 a month from October to January and $125 to $130 a month from February to September. Mizuhara said he struggled to make ends meet because he had to live near Ohtani in California, pay for his wife’s travel between the U.S. and Japan, and rent accommodations while traveling with Ohtani to Japan in the offseason.

    “All of these extra expenses were taking a huge toll on me and I was living paycheck to paycheck, I would have to borrow money from family and friends some months to make ends meet,” Mizuhara wrote.

    Mizuhara added that his wife, Naomi, also helped support Ohtani. She cooked him meals, watched his dog and helped him with broken nails he suffered while pitching.

    “She truly supported both Shohei and I to the best of her abilities throughout the years and she never complained through all of this as she knew my priority was to support Shohei to the best of my ability,” Mizuhara wrote.

    Naomi told the judge in a separate letter that Mizuhara is her “only family” after recently losing her parents and other family members, as well as their family dog. Unable to obtain a green card until 2023, she described becoming “emotionally unstable” and developed hearing loss and alopecia areata due to stress.

    “I deeply regret not being able to support him or notice his struggles during that time,” she wrote.

    At the end of his letter, Mizuhara asked for mercy from the judge and apologized to Ohtani.

    “Lastly, I truly admire Shohei as a baseball player and a human being and I was committed to devote my life so Shohei can be the best version of himself on the field,” Mizuhara wrote. “I want to say I am truly sorry for violating his trust in me.”



    In a recent development, federal prosecutors are seeking a 57-month prison sentence for Mizuhara, who has been accused of defrauding Ohtani. The case has garnered widespread attention due to the high-profile nature of the individuals involved.

    Mizuhara, a former business associate of Ohtani, allegedly deceived the baseball star into investing a significant amount of money in a fraudulent scheme. The scheme ultimately resulted in substantial financial losses for Ohtani, prompting the federal investigation and subsequent charges against Mizuhara.

    The prosecution is pushing for a lengthy prison sentence in order to send a strong message about the seriousness of white-collar crimes and to deter others from engaging in similar misconduct. Mizuhara’s defense team, however, is expected to argue for a more lenient sentence, citing mitigating factors such as remorse and cooperation with authorities.

    As the case unfolds, the outcome remains uncertain. However, one thing is clear – the federal government is taking a firm stance against those who seek to defraud and exploit others for personal gain. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.

    Tags:

    1. Mizuhara fraud case
    2. Ohtani scam
    3. Mizuhara sentencing
    4. Federal charges Mizuhara
    5. White-collar crime
    6. Mizuhara legal troubles
    7. Ohtani fraud investigation
    8. Mizuhara court case
    9. Feds prosecute Mizuhara
    10. Mizuhara embezzlement scheme

    #Feds #seek #57month #sentence #Mizuhara #defrauding #Ohtani

  • Dodgers introduce Roki Sasaki, who says Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto didn’t influence his decision to join team


    The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated their latest talent coup on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium, officially introducing Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki as a member of the team.

    After statements from Dodgers CEO Stan Kasten and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, Sasaki introduced himself through an interpreter before facing questions from media for the first time as a Dodger.

    The primary question concerned the influence of fellow Japanese Dodgers stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto on his decision.

    Ohtani just concluded a historic MVP campaign that culminated in his first World Series championship in his first season playing with the Dodgers. Yamamoto is fresh off a strong rookie season (3.00 ERA, 105 Ks in 90 innings) that featured a bounce-back from a midseason injury to pitch to a victory over the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the World Series.

    Roki Sasaki is officially a Los Angeles Dodger. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)Roki Sasaki is officially a Los Angeles Dodger. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

    Roki Sasaki is officially a Los Angeles Dodger. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

    Each player went through a similar process in transitioning from Japanese baseball to MLB. Did they influence Sasaki in his decision to join them on the Dodgers? According to Sasaki, they did not.

    Sasaki told reporters that he exchanged texts with both and that they welcomed him when he made his decision. But he said he made the call to join the Dodgers over the Padres, Blue Jays and other suitors independent of playing with other Japanese players.

    “It wasn’t a priority for me if there was or was not a Japanese player on a team, as I was looking at all the teams,” Sasaki said through an interpreter. “Being able to play with Ohtani and Yamamoto, both exceptional players, really looking forward to playing with them.

    “And not just them but the rest of the team, which is incredibly talented as well. So I hope and I’m going to work toward making sure I can stand side-by-side with them.”

    Sasaki did say that he prioritized joining a team and a city that would embrace a Japanese player.

    “It wasn’t a priority if there were Japanese players on the team,” Sasaki continued. “But I did want to check that a Japanese player would be embraced in the team and the city.”

    After an extensive process that included meeting with multiple teams, Sasaki said he concluded that the Dodgers are the best franchise as a whole in MLB. And he believes in the front office.

    “Overall, when I looked at the general consensus, I thought that the Dodgers were at the top,” Sasaki said. … “The number one thing that stood out was the stability of the front office.”

    It’s hard to argue with his conclusion. The Dodgers are fresh off a World Series title and have dominated the offseason with high-profile acquisitions, including two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell and All-Star reliever Tanner Scott. The Dodgers have also retained several of their own key players, including Teoscar Hernández and Blake Treinen, to solidify themselves as favorites to win the World Series again next season.

    The question for Sasaki heading into the 2025 season is how big of a role will he play in the Dodgers’ quest for a repeat. At 23 years old with a two-pitch arsenal, Sasaki isn’t yet a polished MLB product like Yamamoto was last season, when he joined the Dodgers at 25.

    But Sasaki’s fastball and splitter project as two of the best pitches in baseball, and it shouldn’t be long into the 2025 season before he’s a member of the rotation, if there’s any delay at all. When he’s ready, he’ll join a rotation with the upside of being one of the best in MLB history alongside Ohtani, Snell, Yamamoto and All-Star Tyler Glasnow.

    Sasaki could play a big role in realizing that upside. Friedman said Wednesday that Sasaki’s stuff immediately wowed Dodgers scouts when they first saw him six years ago when he was in high school.

    “Even then, his explosive fastball, pinpoint command and poise beyond his years stood out,” he said.



    The Los Angeles Dodgers recently introduced their newest pitching prospect, Roki Sasaki, who made it clear that the success of Japanese players like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto did not influence his decision to join the team.

    Sasaki, a highly-touted 19-year-old right-handed pitcher from Japan, signed with the Dodgers after turning down offers from multiple teams in Japan and the MLB. Despite the recent success of Japanese players in the major leagues, Sasaki emphasized that his decision to join the Dodgers was based on the team’s strong development program and the opportunity to play on a competitive team.

    “I have always admired players like Ohtani and Yamamoto, but my decision to join the Dodgers was not influenced by their success,” Sasaki said through a translator during his introductory press conference. “I believe that the Dodgers have a great development program and I am excited to be a part of such a storied franchise.”

    Sasaki comes to the Dodgers with high expectations, as he is considered one of the top pitching prospects in Japan. With a fastball that touches 100 mph and a devastating slider, Sasaki has the potential to become a key piece of the Dodgers’ pitching staff in the future.

    Dodgers fans are eager to see what Sasaki can bring to the team and are hopeful that he can help lead the team to another World Series title. With his talent and determination, Sasaki has the potential to make a significant impact in the major leagues and become a star player for the Dodgers.

    Tags:

    Dodgers, Roki Sasaki, Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Japanese pitcher, MLB, Los Angeles Dodgers, baseball, decision, influence, joining team

    #Dodgers #introduce #Roki #Sasaki #Shohei #Ohtani #Yoshinobu #Yamamoto #didnt #influence #decision #join #team

  • Ichiro Suzuki to be first Japanese player to make Hall of Fame. Shohei Ohtani on track to be second


    FILE - Seattle Mariners' Ichiro Suzuki, of Japan, hits a solo home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game

    Former Seattle Mariners star Ichiro Suzuki is expected to become the first Japanese player to be elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame on Tuesday. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

    Ichiro Suzuki is a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

    That has long been the assumption among baseball fans regarding the Japanese outfielder who played the majority of his 19-year MLB career with the Seattle Mariners, along with stints with the New York Yankees and Miami Marlins.

    On Tuesday, that assumption is set to become reality, with baseball’s Hall of Fame class of 2025 being announced at 3 p.m. Players who received votes from 75% or more of those surveyed from the Baseball Writers’ Assn. of America will be inducted at Cooperstown on July 27.

    CC Sabathia, Billy Wagner and Carlos Beltrán are among the other former players who could get the nod this year.

    A 10-time All Star, Suzuki is considered a strong possibility to join former Yankees reliever and the MLB’s all-time saves leader Mariano Rivera as the only unanimous Hall of Fame picks.

    Read more: ‘A Shohei economy’: How Shohei Ohtani’s first year transformed the Dodgers financially

    Suzuki spent nine seasons with Orix in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball before joining MLB and the Mariners in 2001. While Japanese pitcher Hideo Nomo was a star for the Dodgers in the 1990s, Suzuki was the first Japanese position player to enjoy that level of success in the majors.

    In his debut season, Susuki claimed American League MVP and Rookie of the Year honors, becoming only the second player to win those awards in any league in the same season. He also won the AL batting title that year, as well as in 2004. By the time he wrapped up his playing career, Suzuki had amassed 4,367 hits as a professional, including 3,089 in MLB.

    Last week, Susuki became the seventh first-ballot inductee into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame in Tokyo.

    While Suzuki also will be the first Japanese player to be immortalized at Cooperstown, he almost certainly won’t be the last. It seems inevitable that Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani will be enshrined there one day as well.

    Ohtani recently won his third MVP award in just seven MLB seasons. At age 30, the former Angels two-way player also made the playoffs for the first time and became a World Series champion after signing a 10-year, $700-million contract with the Dodgers before the 2024 season.

    Read more: Shohei Ohtani is giving $500,000 for fire relief. Here’s how other L.A. sports figures are helping

    Last season, Ohtani replaced Suzuki in the MLB record books as the Japanese-born player with the most stolen bases in a season (59 for Ohtani, 56 for Suzuki in 2001). Ohtani also finished with 54 home runs in 2024, marking the first time a player has hit 50 homers and stolen 50 bases in the same season.

    “He is somebody I admire and look up to,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton after matching Ichiro’s mark in September.

    Angels' Shohei Ohtani, left, bows to former Seattle Mariners player Ichiro Suzuki before a baseball gameAngels' Shohei Ohtani, left, bows to former Seattle Mariners player Ichiro Suzuki before a baseball game

    Angels’ Shohei Ohtani, left, bows to Seattle Mariners special assistant Ichiro Suzuki on April 3, 2023, in Seattle. (Lindsey Wasson / Associated Press)

    Suzuki and Ohtani never got to share the diamond as MLB players, with Suzuki switching to a front office role with the Mariners role the day before an early-season series against the Angels during Ohtani’s rookie year in 2018.

    “You can’t even compare me to him because he’s actually doing something that is going to impact not just Japan or here but the whole world,” Suzuki said of Ohtani before that May 2018 series.

    Read more: Before Roki Sasaki’s posting, MLB found no evidence of handshake deal with Dodgers

    Suzuki also might be joined one day in the Hall of Fame by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who was born in Naha, Okinawa, Japan, and has led L.A. to two World Series championships and eight National League West titles in his nine years as the team’s skipper.

    In addition to Ohtani, the Dodgers feature two other Japanese players on their roster in pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the newly signed Roki Sasaki. In 2023, Orix’s Yamamoto joined Suzuki as two of only three players to earn three Nippon Professional Baseball MVP awards.

    “He is a legend of the franchise. I’m happy to have done the same as him,” Yamamoto said of Suzuki at the time. “Everyone looks up to him, and I’m one of those.”

    In a 2022 interview, Sasaki named Suzuki as the baseball player he admires most.

    “I like the way he thinks, and the numbers he put up over the course of his career are so impressive,” Sasaki said. “So I’m a big fan of his. And I also admire just how long of a career he’s had.”

    Read more: Ichiro Suzuki on Shohei Ohtani: ‘You can’t even compare me to him’

    Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

    This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.



    Ichiro Suzuki to be first Japanese player to make Hall of Fame. Shohei Ohtani on track to be second

    In a historic moment for Japanese baseball, Ichiro Suzuki is set to become the first Japanese player to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. The legendary outfielder, known for his incredible hitting and base-running skills, is a sure-fire Hall of Famer with over 3,000 hits and multiple All-Star appearances to his name.

    Ichiro’s impact on the game transcends borders, inspiring countless young Japanese players to pursue their dreams of playing in the Major Leagues. His induction into the Hall of Fame will be a proud moment for not only Japanese baseball fans, but for all fans of the game who appreciate his talent and dedication to the sport.

    But Ichiro won’t be the only Japanese player to make his mark in Cooperstown. Shohei Ohtani, the two-way sensation currently playing for the Los Angeles Angels, is on track to follow in Ichiro’s footsteps and become the second Japanese player to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

    Ohtani’s unique ability to both pitch and hit at an elite level has captured the attention of baseball fans around the world, and his potential to be a game-changing player for years to come is undeniable. If he can stay healthy and continue to produce at a high level, there’s no doubt that Ohtani will one day join Ichiro in the Hall of Fame.

    As Japanese players continue to make their mark in Major League Baseball, it’s clear that their impact on the game is only just beginning. With Ichiro leading the way and Ohtani following close behind, the future looks bright for Japanese baseball and its players on the road to Cooperstown.

    Tags:

    Ichiro Suzuki, Japanese baseball player, Hall of Fame, first Japanese player, Shohei Ohtani, second Japanese player, MLB, history-making, baseball legends, sports news, Japanese athletes, baseball Hall of Fame

    #Ichiro #Suzuki #Japanese #player #Hall #Fame #Shohei #Ohtani #track

  • Blake Snell follows Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s lead as the Dodgers $182,000,000 ace enjoys a Shirley Temple at Nobu


    Following the World Series triumph in October last year, the Los Angeles Dodgers upgraded the rotation by signing two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell in the offseason.

    Blake Snell , who signed a five-year, $182 million contract with the Dodgers in November, is enjoying his time during the offseason. In his latest Instagram story, Snell shared a clip of enjoying a Shirley Temple at Nobu.

    Blake Snell is not the only Dodgers player to grace the world-famous sushi restaurant as his new teammates Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto were also at the restaurant in 2023. The Japanese duo were pictured alongside celebrity chef Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa following their blockbuster contracts with the Dodgers.

    Nobu Matsuhisa is one of the brains behind the renowned restaurant chain, and the 75-year-old recently catered to the Golden Globes for a second year running. Celebrity attendance is a common occurrence at Chef Nobu’s restaurants, with the veteran chef also sharing a strong bond with Hollywood icon Robert De Niro, one of the co-founders of Nobu Hospitality.

    Chef Nobu is an admirer of Shohei Ohtani, and the celebrity chef congratulated the Dodgers superstar after the NL West team’s World Series win over the Yankees and the Japanese star’s third MVP title. He also gave a special shoutout to Ohtani’s dog Decopin.

    Dodgers manager Dave Roberts highlights Blake Snell’s hunger

    Blake Snell signed for the San Francisco Giants last offseason to end his prolonged free agency. After missing almost the entire Spring Training, Snell had a rough start to the 2024 season and was plagued by injuries in the first half of the year.

    However, Snell returned to his Cy Young caliber in the second half of the season. He opted out of his Giants contract after a strong finish and signed for the Dodgers this offseason.

    In a recent episode of “Dodgers Territory,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts shared the reason behind Snell’s deal with LA.

    “The thing that I really love is not only the talent, but it’s a guy that hasn’t won a championship,” Roberts said. It’s hard to quantify hunger, and this guy wants it really bad. That’s why he chose to sign with the Dodgers.”

    With the arrival of the two-time Cy Young winner, the Dodgers have a stacked rotation with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and Shohei Ohtani. They could add more firepower to the rotation as the Dodgers are heavily linked with Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki.