Shohei Ohtani gets new interpreter while playing in South Korea after Ippei Mizuhara was fired due to his alleged role in a gambling scandal

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has a new interpreter after the firing of his former translator Ippei Mizuhara.

Mizuhara was canned due to his alleged role in a gambling scandal that has been described as a ‘massive theft’ of at least $4.5million in wire transfers.

In the meantime, Will Ireton – the team’s manager of performance operations – has stepped in to deputize for Ohtani while the team plays against the San Diego Padres in South Korea.

The wire transfers in question came from Ohtani’s bank account and were sent to a California gambling operation that is currently under federal investigation, according to ESPN.

Spokespeople for Ohtani claimed that the 29-year-old was covering Mizuhara’s gambling debts. Those same representatives later disavowed comments Mizuhara made to ESPN and offered a statement.

Shohei Ohtani (L) has a new interpreter in Will Ireton (R) after his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was fired due to his alleged role in a gambling scandal 

This picture taken Wednesday shows Ohtani (right) and his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara (far left)

Ohtani went 1-for-5 on Thursday in a 15-11 loss to the rival San Diego Padres

‘In the course of responding to recent media inquiries, we discovered that Shohei has been the victim of a massive theft, and we are turning the matter over to the authorities,’ read the statement from Ohtani’s law firm, Berk Brettler LLP.

Ohtani’s spokespeople have denied that he is involved in any illegal gambling.

Mizuhara reportedly admitted to gambling on sports on ESPN – but not baseball – and even pledged to completely stop betting. He did not comment further after the law firm’s statement.

Mizuhara worked with Ohtani when he joined the Los Angeles Angels prior to the 2018 season and was hired by the Dodgers when the Japanese star swapped red for blue with a 10-year, $700million deal in December. 

At the plate in Seoul on Thursday, Ohtani went 1-for-5 with an RBI as the Dodgers fell to the rival San Diego Padres 15-11.