LA Dodgers baseball star Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter sacked after theft claims

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani, left, and interpreter Ippei Mizuhara answer questions during a news conference at Dodger Stadium in December in Los Angeles (Ashley Landis/AP)

Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter and close friend has been sacked by the Los Angeles Dodgers following allegations of illegal gambling and theft from the player.

Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, 39, was let go from the team on Wednesday following reports from the Los Angeles Times and ESPN about his alleged ties to an illegal bookmaker.