On Friday, Main League Baseball launched an investigation into Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and the alleged “huge fraud” dedicated by longtime buddy and interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Mizuhara is alleged, by a collection of wire transfers, to have stolen upwards of $4.5 million from Ohtani to cowl playing losses.

“Main League Baseball has been gathering data since we discovered concerning the allegations involving Shohei Ohtani and Ippei Mizuhari from the information media,” MLB introduced Friday. “Earlier right this moment, our Division of Investigations (DOI) started their formal course of investigating the matter.”

MLB has not positioned Ohtani on the executive go away or the restricted record, so he stays an energetic participant.  

Mizuhara is alleged to have positioned bets with Mathew Bowyer, an unlawful bookmaker in California. Bowyer is beneath federal investigation and Ohtani’s identify surfaced whereas the Los Angeles Instances performed its personal investigation into Bowyer. The story broke on March 19, whereas Ohtani, Mizuhara, and the Dodgers had been in Seoul, South Korea, for the Seoul Sequence.

The Dodgers instantly fired Mizuhara, and, now, MLB is investigating the matter, together with the federal authorities’s ongoing investigation into Bowyer. Listed here are essentially the most urgent unanswered questions because the league’s investigation will get underway:

Is both of Mizuhara’s tales true?

Alternatively, why did Mizuhara inform two completely different tales? Initially, Mizuhara and a consultant for Ohtani mentioned he went to Ohtani for assist, and Ohtani agreed to pay the playing money owed. Quickly thereafter, Ohtani’s attorneys mentioned no, the cash was stolen. Mizuhara then backtracked and mentioned Ohtani was not conscious of the funds. The 2 accounts couldn’t be extra at odds. Why did the story change and is both story true?

Did Ohtani ship the funds?

Sports activities betting is unlawful in California, so if Ohtani did ship the funds to Bowyer, even unknowingly, he might discover himself in hassle with the federal authorities. This might clarify why the story was modified from “Ohtani helped out his buddy and paid his playing money owed” to “the cash was stolen.” Ohtani’s attorneys could have feared the preliminary story put him in jeopardy with the feds.

Moreover, MLB Rule 21 expressly forbids gamers and workforce personnel from even associating with unlawful bookmakers. Ohtani sending the funds to Bowyer would qualify as an affiliation with an unlawful bookmaker. The penalty for violating Rule 21 is on the discretion of commissioner Rob Manfred.

Did Ohtani place any bets himself?

Gamers and workforce personnel are forbidden from inserting bets on baseball and softball, even legally. They will legally guess on different sports activities, nonetheless, and Mizuhara says he solely guess on the NBA, NFL, NCAA basketball, and worldwide soccer. By no means baseball. Clearly, the league will examine these claims. In any case, Mizuhara’s employment gave him entry to inside baseball data that would doubtlessly be used to put favorable bets.

MLB’s investigation will little doubt look into whether or not Ohtani positioned any bets himself. Legally, illegally, on baseball, on different sports activities, and so forth. The league will examine all of it. For what it is price, Mizuhara has mentioned Ohtani has by no means gambled and “thinks playing is horrible,” in response to ESPN. MLB Rule 21 is posted in each large league clubhouse. Betting on baseball is the final word no-no.

Can MLB compel Ohtani and Mizuhara to speak?

The league will certainly request interviews with each Ohtani and Mizuhara, although their cooperation just isn’t assured. In Mizuhara’s case, he’s not employed by a workforce, so MLB cannot drive him to speak to their investigators. Throughout an interview with ESPN, Mizuhara did say: “Clearly, that is all my fault, all the pieces I’ve accomplished. I am able to face all the implications.” That doesn’t imply he’ll converse to league investigators, nonetheless.

As for Ohtani, he’s a member of the MLB Gamers Affiliation, and precedent says he can refuse to talk to investigators as a result of a legal investigation is underway. Ohtani just isn’t believed to be the topic of the investigation, nonetheless, and MLB might argue he doesn’t have the suitable to refuse cooperation beneath these circumstances. Briefly, the league cannot drive Mizuhara to talk to investigators, and the MLBPA could have a say in whether or not Ohtani should cooperate.

Will Ohtani be disciplined?

It is inconceivable to know proper now. It should rely completely on what the league’s investigation turns up, and likewise the federal authorities’s investigation. Legal costs concerning funds to Bowyer would definitely open Ohtani as much as MLB self-discipline, although they don’t seem to be required for Manfred handy down a suspension. 

Right here is MLB Rule 21:

Any participant, umpire, or Membership or League official or worker who locations bets with unlawful ebook makers, or brokers for unlawful ebook makers, shall be topic to such penalty because the Commissioner deems acceptable in gentle of the details and circumstances of the conduct. Any participant, umpire, or Membership or League official or worker who operates or works for an unlawful bookmaking enterprise shall be topic to a minimal of a one-year suspension by the Commissioner. For functions of this provision, an unlawful bookmaker is a person who accepts, locations or handles wagers on sporting occasions from members of the general public as a part of a gaming operation that’s illegal within the jurisdiction during which the bets are accepted. 

…

“Nothing herein contained shall be construed as completely defining or in any other case limiting acts, transactions, practices or conduct to not be in the most effective pursuits of Baseball; and any and all different acts, transactions, practices or conduct to not be in the most effective pursuits of Baseball are prohibited and shall be topic to such penalties, together with everlasting ineligibility, because the details within the specific case could warrant.”  

That final clause, which is contained in Part (f) of Rule 21, is broad sufficient to cowl all types of potential misconduct. In 2015, former main league pitcher Jarred Cosart was discovered to have illegally guess on sports activities throughout his time as an energetic participant, however not on baseball. Cosart was fined however not suspended.

Given the scope of the investigation and the seriousness of the matter, the assorted investigations determine to take a while. This isn’t prone to be one thing that wraps up swiftly. Right here is extra on MLB’s historical past of playing scandals.