How to watch Shohei Ohtani’s press conference: Dodgers star speaks to media amid MLB investigation

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani will address the media on Monday after Major League Baseball’s Investigative Division announced Friday night that it has launched an investigation into allegations involving Ohtani and his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.

Mizuhara, 39, told ESPN that Ohtani covered the interpreter’s substantial sports betting debts by wiring money to employees of an alleged bookmaker in Orange County, California. The network reported that at least $4.5 million worth of electronic transfers were made from an Ohtani account.

Shortly after these comments, Ohtani’s lawyers claimed that the two-time MVP was the victim of a “massive theft,” without mentioning Mizuhara by name, and would contact unnamed authorities.

“Major League Baseball has been gathering information since we learned from the media of the allegations against Shohei Ohtani and Ippei Mizuhara,” the league said in a statement. “Today, our Department of Investigations (DOI) began a formal investigation into the matter.”

Ohtani is expected to address the matter publicly on Monday with translator Will Ireton.

When is Shohei Ohtani’s press conference?

Ohtani will address the media at Monday, 5:45 p.m. ETBob Nightengale of USA TODAY reported. He is expected to read a statement, but will not answer any questionsaccording to Alden González of ESPN.

How to watch Shohei Ohtani’s press conference

Ohtani’s address to the media is scheduled to air on SNLA and MLB Network, Dodgers sportswriters Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times and Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reported.

How we got here

Mizuhara was fired by the Dodgers shortly after the allegations became known; the club had hired him after Mizuhara served as Ohtani’s interpreter during the previous six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels and during Ohtani’s time playing in Japan.

Mizuhara has insisted that Ohtani did not place any of the bets. MLB players and employees are legally allowed to bet on sports except baseball. Mizuhara essentially admitted that he violated Rule 21, which prohibits placing bets with an illegal bookmaker.

Any penalty under Rule 21 shall be at the discretion of the Commissioner.

MLB announced its investigation shortly after ESPN this week published a detailed timeline of conversations with Mizuhara and a crisis management public relations representative hastily hired by Ohtani’s agent, Nez Balelo. The spokesman said on March 18 that Ohtani covered debts incurred by Mizuhara’s gambling and that Ohtani said he “made several large payments.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to watch Shohei Ohtani’s press conference during MLB investigation