LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers have recovered from jet lag caused by opening the regular season in South Korea.
They hope to move past the whiplash from allegations involving illegal gambling and theft surrounding two-way star Shohei Ohtani and his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, just as quickly.
Ohtani is scheduled to speak to reporters on Monday, which will be his first public remarks since Mizuhara was fired on Wednesday for allegedly betting on sports through an illegal bookmaker.
“I think it’s good,” manager Dave Roberts said. “I think it’s the right thing to do, and 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’ll give us all a little more clarity.”
Roberts said it is Ohtani’s decision to meet with the media. Ohtani has not addressed the controversy with the team but has spoken with individual players, Roberts said.
Roberts checked in with Ohtani, who is in his first season with the Dodgers after signing a 10-year worth $700 million in December. “Everything that I’ve seen he’s kind of business as usual, really,” Roberts said of the two-time American League MVP.
The allegations that Mizuhara used millions of dollars of Ohtani’s to pay off gambling debts became public before the Dodgers played the second of two games against the San Diego Padres in Seoul on Thursday.
Roberts said Ohtani wanted to play and there was no consideration of holding him out. The Dodgers lost 15-11, with Ohtani going 1 for 5 at the plate with one RBI.
“Once you get here, people just get back to work.” Roberts said. “I think athletes by and large have a very good ability to compartmentalize, and I think that’s just kind of how we’re wired.”
ANGELS DROP POMERANZ
The Angels released veteran pitcher Drew Pomeranz on Sunday.
Pomeranz, a left-hander, had not thrown in the majors since 2021 because of ongoing problems with his elbow. He broke out for the Boston Red Sox in 2017, going 17-6 with a 3.32 ERA, and the Angels signed him to a minor league contract in February in hopes the 35-year-old might be able to rediscover some of that form after four injury-riddled seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, San Francisco Giants and Padres.
Pomeranz had an opt-out in his contract if he was not on the opening day roster, but manager Ron Washington indicated it was the team’s decision.
“I don’t exactly know how that conversation went, but from what I understand, we released him,” Washington said. “We got a lot of arms here.”
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DODGERS IN JAPAN?
The Dodgers could be back in Asia next year after USA Today reported on Sunday they will face the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo, Japan to open the 2025 season. Roberts said he has heard rumblings to that effect but could not confirm the report.
“I hope we’re included,” Roberts said, “I know there’s nothing finalized yet, but obviously it would make a lot of sense.”
