Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani will speak to the media Monday for the first time since his long-time interpreter was fired amid allegations of illegal gambling, according to the club.
"It's the right thing to do," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday. "I'm happy he's going to speak and speak to what he knows and give his thoughts on the whole situation. I think it will give us all a little bit more clarity."
Ohtani's legal team alleged he had been the victim of "massive theft" reported to involve millions of dollars which linked his high-profile interpreter and close associate Ippei Mizuhara to a suspected illegal bookmaker in California.
U.S. sports network ESPN reported during the Dodgers' trip to Seoul for the season-opening series against the San Diego Padres that Ohtani's name had surfaced in a federal investigation of bookmaker Mathew Bowyer.
At least $4.5 million was found to have been sent from Ohtani's bank account in wire transfers to a southern California bookmaking operation that is under federal investigation, ESPN said.
On Friday, Major League Baseball announced the launch of an investigation into a sports gambling allegation related to Ohtani and Mizuhara.
Related coverage:
Baseball: MLB begins investigating scandal involving Ohtani, aide
IRS investigating fired interpreter Mizuhara: report
Dodgers fire Ohtani's interpreter over theft, gambling allegations
