MLB's investigation into Shohei Ohtani saga might go nowhere

Shohei Ohtani stands with his agent Nez Balelo and now-former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Why MLB's investigation into Shohei Ohtani/interpreter saga might go nowhere

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 3/22/24

MLB is finally getting involved days after the story surrounding Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and the firing of longtime interpreter Ippei Mizuhara rocked the baseball world. However, it might amount to nothing at all.

On Friday, the league announced an investigation into the matter and is expected to seek interviews with "all parties." Although, as ESPN's T.J. Quinn pointed out, there is no way to convince Ohtani or Mizuhara to talk.

As a member of the MLB Players Association, Ohtani can refuse to participate. Meanwhile, the league no longer employs Mizuhara and thus can't force him to cooperate.

Without hearing the sides of the two key players, it's hard to believe the league will gain anything tangible from its investigation. Regardless, MLB says its Department of Investigations (DOI) wheels began to turn on Friday.

MLB released a statement announcing formal investigation into allegations surrounding Shohei Ohtani and Ippei Mizuhara. pic.twitter.com/JCCkKLsE9m
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 22, 2024

While MLB's probe may never get off the ground, Ohtani's camp has reportedly turned things over to authorities. However, it's unclear who might investigate, with Los Angeles area law enforcement spokespersons believing it will be a "federal matter," per ESPN.

On Wednesday, word spread of Mizuhara's firing and gambling debt. Yet the focus was on the roughly $4.5 million wired from Ohtani's account—money used to pay off a Southern California bookmaking operation run by Mathew Bowyer, currently under federal investigation for alleged illegal gambling.

Initially, Mizuhara said that Ohtani was fully aware of his issue and was simply helping out a friend by loaning him the money. However, the story abruptly changed, with Ohtani's camp denying the original accounts while casting accusations of "massive theft."

The latest twist attempts to clear up the wishy-washy timeline, painting Ohtani as an unknowing victim whom Mizuhara misled by using his position as the star's interpreter.

Where the absurd ride goes from here is anyone's guess. Although, even with the latest revelations, this feels more like the saga's beginning than the end.

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