- Ohtani will not pitch in 2024 season as he continues to recover
- This came after the Japanese star addressed the media about Ippei’s situation.
- DailyMail.com provides the latest international sports news.
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Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani was seen pitching for the first time since his surgery last year that will prevent him from pitching in the 2024 season.
The journalists present saw the star throw the ball: the first time Ohtani has done so in front of the cameras, journalists and the public.
He did so after a press conference in which he defended himself and claimed that his old friend and translator Ippei Mizuhara had lied to him and stolen millions from his bank account to pay off a gambling debt.
The star said he was “very sad and surprised” that Mizuhara would do this, adding (through an interpreter): “I never bet on baseball or any other sport and I never asked anyone to do it on my behalf and I’ve never visited a betting house.” .’
“In conclusion, Ippei has been stealing money from my account and telling lies,” Ohtani said.
Shohei Ohtani was seen pitching in front of cameras and journalists for the first time.
The two-way man continues to recover from surgery to repair a torn upper lateral ligament in his right elbow
Ohtani will not pitch in the 2024 season as he continues to rehab and recover
The star says Mizuhara never told him about the media investigation into the performer’s gaming habits. It also says Mizuhara used money from Ohtani’s bank account to pay off the debt without Ohtani’s knowledge.
Ohtani says he found out last week, when the team was in Korea, about Mizuhara’s gambling and what he had done with the star’s bank accounts.
‘To sum up how I feel right now, I am beyond shocked. “It’s really hard to verbalize how I feel right now,” Ohtani said.
‘The season is going to start. “I am obviously going to let my lawyers handle matters from now on and will fully assist in all investigations that are taking place at this time.”
Ohtani was set to begin a throwing regimen recently as he recovers from a torn ACL in his throwing elbow.
He won’t be able to pitch this season while he recovers, but he will be able to swing a bat, and the Dodgers plan to use him as a designated hitter all season.
Ohtani and the Dodgers will face the Japanese star’s former team, the Los Angeles Angels, in an exhibition at Dodger Stadium on Monday night.