MLB star Shohei Ohtani’s translator fired after allegations of ‘massive theft’

• Ippei Mizuhara admits to have run up gambling debts
• Ohtani is world's most famous baseball player

The interpreter for Shohei Ohtani, the biggest star in baseball and one of the most famous people in Japan, has been fired after lawyers for the player said there had been a massive theft" from the slugger's account.

ESPN reported that several sources said Ippei Mizuhara had run up large debts to a Californian bookmaker. Initially a spokesperson for the player said Ohtani had transferred $4.5m to cover Mizuhara's debts. But when ESPN asked further questions, the spokesperson backed away from their claim and said Ohtani's lawyers would soon make a statement.