What Happened to Shohei Ohtani?
Shohei Ohtani, the unparalleled two-way superstar, has continued to dominate Major League Baseball, signing a historic $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023. Despite a significant gambling scandal involving his former interpreter in early 2024, Ohtani has achieved back-to-back World Series championships and MVP awards in 2024 and 2025, returning to pitching in 2025 after elbow surgery and is set to continue his two-way role in the 2026 season.
Quick Answer
Shohei Ohtani is currently a dominant two-way player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, having signed a record-breaking $700 million contract in December 2023. He won consecutive National League MVP awards and back-to-back World Series titles in 2024 and 2025. After recovering from elbow surgery, he returned to pitching in June 2025 and is scheduled to make his 2026 MLB pitching debut on April 1, 2026, while continuing to excel as a designated hitter. He was cleared of any wrongdoing in a 2024 gambling scandal involving his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, who was sentenced to prison in February 2025.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Undergoes Elbow Surgery
Ohtani undergoes a second elbow surgery (UCL procedure) performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, with an expected return to hitting in 2024 and pitching in 2025.
Signs Historic Dodgers Contract
Ohtani signs a record-breaking 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, featuring significant deferred payments.
Ippei Mizuhara Gambling Scandal Breaks
News breaks regarding Ohtani's interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, allegedly stealing millions from Ohtani to cover gambling debts. The Dodgers fire Mizuhara.
Mizuhara Charged with Bank Fraud
Federal prosecutors charge Ippei Mizuhara with bank fraud, alleging he stole over $16 million from Ohtani and impersonated him. Ohtani is cleared as a victim.
Achieves 40-40 Season
Ohtani becomes the sixth member of the 40-40 club and the fastest player ever to achieve the feat (126 games).
Dodgers Win 2024 World Series
Ohtani wins his first World Series championship with the Los Angeles Dodgers, playing as a designated hitter.
Wins 2024 NL MVP Award
Ohtani is unanimously named the 2024 National League MVP, becoming the first player in MLB history to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season.
Ippei Mizuhara Sentenced
Ippei Mizuhara is sentenced to nearly five years in federal prison for bank and tax fraud, ordered to pay $18 million in restitution to Ohtani and the IRS.
Returns to Pitching for Dodgers
Ohtani makes his long-awaited return to pitching for the Dodgers after recovering from elbow surgery.
Sets Dodgers HR Record with 55
Shohei Ohtani crushes a career-best 55 home runs for the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 2025 regular season, setting a new franchise record.
Dodgers Win Second Consecutive World Series
Ohtani and the Dodgers capture back-to-back championships, with Ohtani also named the 2025 NLCS MVP.
Wins Fourth Career MVP (2025 NL MVP)
Ohtani is unanimously named the National League MVP for the second consecutive season, his fourth career MVP award, joining Barry Bonds as the only players with four MVPs.
Makes 2026 Spring Training Pitching Debut
Ohtani makes his first spring training start for the Dodgers against the San Francisco Giants, throwing 4 1/3 scoreless innings.
Scheduled 2026 MLB Pitching Debut
Shohei Ohtani is scheduled to make his first MLB pitching appearance of the 2026 season for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Cleveland Guardians.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Shohei Ohtani's career has reached unprecedented heights since his move to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Following a second elbow injury in August 2023, which required surgery in September 2023, Ohtani signed a monumental 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers in December 2023. This deal, the largest in sports history, featured significant deferrals, with Ohtani receiving only $2 million annually during the contract term and the remaining $68 million per year paid from 2034 to 2043. This structure was reportedly Ohtani's idea to provide the Dodgers with payroll flexibility to build a competitive team around him. (Source: MLB.com, 2023; The Big Lead, 2025)
His 2024 season, played exclusively as a designated hitter due to elbow recovery, was historic. Ohtani became the first player in MLB history to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season, earning his third MVP award (his first in the National League) and his first World Series championship with the Dodgers. (Source: StatMuse, 2024; Wikipedia, 2024)
The early part of 2024 was overshadowed by a major scandal involving his longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Mizuhara was accused of stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani's bank account to cover illegal gambling debts. Federal prosecutors charged Mizuhara with bank fraud in April 2024, and he later pleaded guilty, admitting to impersonating Ohtani to facilitate wire transfers. MLB concluded its investigation, clearing Ohtani as a victim of fraud. Mizuhara was sentenced to nearly five years in federal prison in February 2025. (Source: AP News, 2025; EssentiallySports, 2025)
Ohtani made his highly anticipated return to the mound in June 2025, fully recovering from his elbow surgery. He continued his offensive prowess, setting a Dodgers franchise record with 55 home runs in the 2025 season. He secured his fourth MVP award (second consecutive NL MVP) and his second World Series title with the Dodgers, also earning his first League Championship MVP award. (Source: StatMuse, 2025; Wikipedia, 2025)
As of April 1, 2026, Ohtani is fully healthy and ready for a full two-way season. He participated in Spring Training 2026, making his first spring pitching start for the Dodgers in March. He is scheduled to make his 2026 MLB pitching debut on Tuesday, April 1, 2026, against the Cleveland Guardians, aiming for a Cy Young Award. He has been playing as the designated hitter in the Dodgers' first few games of the 2026 season. (Source: CBS Los Angeles, 2026; CBS Sports, 2026; Field Level Media, 2026)
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Shohei Ohtani made different choices?