NEW YORK.- Shohei Ohtani He said he lost sleep after his translator was accused of stealing millions of dollars from him.
Ippei Mizuhara was fired by the Los Angeles Dodgers when a federal gambling investigation became public. Mizuhara agreed to plead guilty to bank and tax fraud in which prosecutors allege he stole nearly $17 million from the two-time American League MVP to pay off debts.
“I think the thing that affected me the most was not being able to sleep well,†Ohtani said Monday before the Dodgers' series opener against the New York Mets was postponed because of rain. “Now that I have been able to improve, I also realized that the way I feel off the field mentally should not affect my abilities, and I have every confidence in my own ability that I could continue playing without being affected by nothing that happens off the field.”
In the first season of a record 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers, Ohtani entered Monday with a major league-leading .336 batting average. He also has 13 home runs, 35 RBIs and 13 stolen bases.
Physical problems:
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed Saturday that Ohtani has been playing with a bruised left hamstring, suffered May 16 when he was hit in an attempt to throw him out on the bases.
“Obviously my legs are not at their best, but personally I don't think it's affecting my swing,†he added.
He left the May 11 game in San Diego because of back stiffness and did not play the next day.
“I feel pretty good about my back. I've been training and making sure he's okay,†she said.
