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LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani plans to speak to the media Monday for the first time since the illegal gambling and theft allegations involving the Los Angeles Dodgers star’s former interpreter emerged during the team’s trip to South Korea.
The interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was fired by the Dodgers last week between the team’s two season-opening games against the San Diego Padres in Seoul.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts on Sunday endorsed Ohtani addressing the matter publicly.
“It’s the right thing to do,” he said. “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 made only a brief appearance in the Dodgers’ clubhouse before Sunday’s Freeway Series opener at Dodger Stadium against his former team, the Los Angeles Angels. The teams are playing three exhibition games before the Dodgers host the St. Louis Cardinals in their home opener Thursday.
Ohtani was set to bat second as the designated hitter Sunday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.