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

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.