Shohei Ohtani could be more open with teammates without 'buffer' Mizuhara, Dodgers manager says

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani's life will be fundamentally different in the coming weeks and months without Ippei Mizuhara, his interpreter and constant companion ever since he moved to the majors from Japan.

Although the changes caused by Mizuhara's firing amid allegations of gambling and theft could be jarring to a baseball star who thrives on routine, the Los Angeles Dodgers are optimistic the upheaval could have a positive impact on Ohtani's connection with his teammates and the game.

“Actually, I would argue that it’s going to help relations internally,” manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday before the Dodgers' final exhibition game. “Because there’s no longer a buffer. I think that I’ve already seen it the last couple of days. I think Shohei has been even more engaging with his teammates, and I think there’s only upside with that.”

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, left, smiles as he heads toward the dugout past Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Reid Detmers after the fifth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Ohtani spent thousands of hours at Angel Stadium over the previous six years with Mizuhara, who helped Ohtani to communicate with the Angels' coaches and players on everything from strategic advice and rehabilitation plans to video game trash-talk. Roberts and the Dodgers hired Mizuhara after signing Ohtani, and Roberts acknowledged Tuesday that it was sometimes “difficult” to communicate with Ohtani with everything filtered through Mizuhara.

The Dodgers' new slugger returned to his old home in Anaheim on Tuesday without Mizuhara, who was fired last week by the Dodgers after acknowledging a gambling problem and being accused of stealing millions from Ohtani.

The Angels welcomed back Ohtani for the exhibition with a tribute video before he batted for the Dodgers in the first inning. The bipartisan crowd cheered loudly for Ohtani, who acknowledged the love by doffing his batting helmet several times. He then struck out on a 96 mph fastball by former teammate Chase Silseth.

Whether it's related to the troubles with Mizuhara or not, Ohtani's bat has cooled off since the Dodgers returned home from their tumultuous trip to Seoul, South Korea. After striking out twice Tuesday, Ohtani finished 0 for 6 with two walks and three Ks in the Dodgers' three consecutive exhibition games against his former teammates with the Angels.

Will Ireton will be Ohtani’s interpreter going forward, but the versatile Dodgers employee won’t be as inseparable from Ohtani as Mizuhara was.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) walks across the dugout during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels Monday, March 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Mizuhara shadowed Ohtani everywhere while they were with the Angels — in the training room, on the mound during visits by the pitching coach, even onto the field during bench-clearing brawls. They also spent ample time together away from the ballpark.

Ohtani already made another major life change in the offseason when he got married, and he's now beginning the process of moving forward without his daily connection to English speakers.

Teammates and opponents alike have said over the years that Ohtani understands plenty of English, but doesn't always feel comfortable speaking it — just like many second-language learners. Roberts said he already sees Ohtani making an effort to move outside his comfort zone in the past few days.

“I think that we’re all going to be surprised how much English he knows, and I think that’s a good thing,” Roberts said.

Ohtani addressed the separation from Mizuhara on Monday before the Dodgers faced the Angels in Los Angeles. The slugger emphatically denied ever betting on sports or paying off Mizuhara's profligate gambling losses, instead saying Mizuhara stole the money to send to an illegal bookie.

Dodgers players and coaches were pleased by the detail and candor with which Ohtani addressed the situation, Roberts said.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani walks into the dugout after grounding out as Max Muncy puts on his gloves during the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels Monday, March 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

“I think (Monday) was a big day, and we’re all looking forward to moving forward,” Roberts said. “But I do think it’s an opportunity for us to really support him from everywhere.”

Ireton is the Dodgers' manager of performance operations, and has been with the team since he first worked with Japanese pitcher Kenta Maeda in 2016.

Born in Tokyo before attending high school and college in the U.S., Ireton has filled several roles in the Dodgers' game preparation over the years. He also helped with the Dodgers' successful winter pursuits of both Ohtani and right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Roberts is grateful to have a capable, trusted member of the staff to take over for Mizuhara.

“Will is a secret weapon,” Roberts said. “I’m telling you, this guy is as selfless a person as you’re going to find. He does stuff as far as the advance stuff with the hitting. On the pitching side, it’s some advance stuff. Obviously with the Yamamoto stuff, the Ohtani stuff this past winter, he was a big helper in that, and then obviously now, being an interpreter. So Will, he’s a Swiss Army knife. He does everything for us.”

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — It wasn't the brilliant outing Walker Buehler was hoping for, but the Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher is happy he's back on the mound.

Making his first major league start in nearly two years Monday night, Buehler went four innings and struck out four in the Dodgers' 6-3 victory over the Miami Marlins.

“I think the ceremony of it is done, and now I can kind of focus on trying to be good and helping our team,” Buehler said. “I wish it would have gone better and thrown five or six shutout innings, but it’s done and I’m glad to be back.”

The right-hander allowed three runs and six hits. He threw 77 pitches, 49 for strikes. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before the game that Buehler's pitch count would be anywhere from 80 to 85.

Buehler did not factor in the decision, but he departed with the Dodgers holding a three-run lead on the strength of four homers, including Shohei Ohtani's fourth in three games.

“I know that Walker felt all the emotion of the fans, maybe a little bit too much,” Roberts said. “I thought the first inning, there were some 98s (mph) in there. I didn’t expect to see that velocity. I think a lot of that was adrenaline. I felt the last two innings were his best as far as commanding the baseball, the stuff and the efficiency of outs.”

It was Buehler's first big league start since June 10, 2022, at San Francisco. The 29-year-old two-time All-Star had his second Tommy John surgery on Aug. 23 that year. The first reconstructive surgery on his right elbow was in 2015 shortly after he was drafted in the first round by the Dodgers.

Buehler allowed four hits his first time through the order, including RBI singles by Bryan De La Cruz and Jesús Sánchez in the first and Nick Gordon's solo homer in the second, but only one his second time around.

“The first two innings weren’t as successful as I wanted it, but most of those were on two-strike or 0-0 pitches, kind of the last things that you can sharpen up,” Buehler said.

The biggest surprise was Buehler's velocity. He threw 13 pitches 96 mph or harder, including a 97.6 mph fastball that leadoff hitter Jazz Chisholm Jr. fouled off in the first inning.

Roberts tried to lower expectations about Buehler's velocity during his pregame remarks and focused more on pitch command.

“I didn’t think there was 98 in there still or 97 or whatever it was. I think that helps with the adrenaline of being back,” Buehler said. “I’ve been somewhat concerned about the velocity a little bit. So you kind of try and ride it and see what’s in there. I think the next one, I’ll probably feel the same and be able to temper a little bit knowing that it’s in there.”

Buehler appeared anxious during his warmup pitches before facing Chisholm.

The nerves didn't subside when the center fielder fouled off four straight pitches and got aboard with an infield single inside the third-base line on the ninth pitch of the at-bat with the infield shifted to the right.

Chisholm stole second and scored on De La Cruz’s base hit to right-center. Buehler retired the next two batters, but De La Cruz scored on Jesús Sánchez’s single to right. Buehler got out of the inning when Tim Anderson was called out on batter interference when Sánchez tried to steal second.

After the Dodgers scored three in the bottom of the first, Gordon tied it with a solo shot just over the right-field wall on a full-count cutter from Buehler that was slightly elevated.

Buehler settled down after that and allowed only two more hits. He put two more Marlins aboard after a throwing error and a hit batter, but prevented any damage.

Buehler threw 25 pitches in the first, 17 strikes. He was at 48 pitches after two innings.

Roberts, though, was pleased with the way Buehler was able to command his pitches as the game went along.

“I thought there were some cutters that didn’t get there. He left that breaking ball up to Sánchez for the two-out base hit. The fastball misfired a little bit, but I thought it was much better than I expected,” Roberts said.

Roberts said Buehler's next start will be Sunday when the Dodgers wrap up a three-game series against San Diego.

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Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins in Los Angeles, Monday, May 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)