Shohei Ohtani Stays Focused on Baseball Amid Off-Field Challenges

Shohei Ohtani said his ability to play baseball hasn’t changed, regardless of what happens off the field.

MINNEAPOLIS — There’s a sideshow at every stadium Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers visit, with the two-time MVP and superstar of two continents playing on a $700 million contract under investigation by Major League Baseball for the alleged involvement of his former interpreter in illegal gambling.

True to his single-minded approach and private nature, Ohtani still appears to be adjusting.

Ohtani said he has been adjusting well to the process of being without his former performer Ippei Mizuhara. Getty Images

“Regardless of what happens off the field, my ability to continue playing baseball has not changed. It is my job to make sure I play the best I can,” he said through his new interpreter, Will Iretonbefore Monday’s game at Minnesota.

Ohtani, whose recovery from Tommy John surgery prevents him from pitching this season, has given few interviews since signing with the Dodgers. His final session, which took place in a hallway outside the visiting clubhouse at Target Field with dozens of cameras and reporters from Japan and the United States forming a semicircle around it, was revealing only because of his constantly calm presence.

When asked how he has been handling his former performer’s absence, Ippei Mizuharaafter his close friend was fired for alleged theft from Ohtani’s accounts to cover illegal gambling losses and a connection to a betting house under IRS investigation, Japan’s gambling sensation said he is doing very well.

“It’s only been a couple of weeks since then, and it’s not like I’ve been doing much more than being at the hotel or at home. I’m really grateful that the team and staff have supported me throughout this time and process,” Ohtani said.

Ohtani shared a secret: He’s been using a cricket-style bat to improve his batting mechanics.

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The manager of the Dodgers, Dave Roberts, who has encouraged Ohtani to strengthen his relationship with his teammates without Mizuhara in the picture, said the peculiar equipment looks like a cricket paddle and has a handle like a baseball bat. The goal is to use the flat barrel to practice staying in the contact zone longer, Roberts said, and Ohtani “liked” hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc’s suggestion.

The regime has also been eye-opening for the team.

“Every day we learn more. Every day he gets more comfortable,” Roberts said. “He’s laughing so hard. He’s asking questions.”

Ohtani was 8 for 17, with two home runs, in his previous four games. He said he picked up the cricket bat on Sunday after his first two innings in Chicago in a loss to the Cubs.

“Pretty good results were obtained,” he said. “I will continue to do that.”

Going deep in Los Angeles on Wednesday was also a big boost.

Even his arm feels freer these days.

Ohtani said his rehab program has gone “according to plan” with slight, gradual increases in throwing intensity. He played ball on Sunday. The surgically repaired ulnar collateral ligament has not cost him any loss of power at the plate.

“I’ve learned that with super athletes you don’t have to be surprised anymore,” Roberts said. “Shohei is, simply, a different athlete. He really is. And those kinds of special athletes recover faster, they recover better, and he is in that rare class.”

2024-04-09 04:43:42
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