Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani could be more open with teammates without ‘buffer’ Ippei Mizuhara

ANAHEIM — Nobody has ever questioned Dave Roberts’ optimism, as the Dodgers manager continues to see a path forward in order to turn the difficult Shohei Ohtani situation into a positive.

After saying Monday that the team has rallied around Ohtani as he deals with alleged fraud tied to his former interpreter, as well as an Orange County bookmaker, Roberts said he is seeing a more engaged Ohtani now that Ippei Mizuhara no longer is in the clubhouse.

Mizuhara, Ohtani’s interpreter, was fired by the Dodgers last week after saying he made bets on sporting events outside of baseball and used Ohtani’s money to do it. MLB has opened an investigation into the matter with questions mounting on how as much as $4.5 million could have disappeared from Ohtani’s account without the star player realizing it.

Ohtani moved to tell his side of the story on Monday. When asked Tuesday about Ohtani not having his former confidant around, Roberts said that when it comes to the clubhouse, there have been positive signs in a short time.

“You know what, actually, I would argue that it’s going to help relations internally because there is no longer a buffer,” Roberts said. “I’ve already seen it. The last couple of days, I think Shohei has been even more engaging with his teammates and I think there is only upside with that.”

Will Ireton will be Ohtani’s interpreter going forward, but the versatile Dodgers employee won’t be as inseparable from Ohtani as Mizuhara was.

Mizuhara shadowed Ohtani everywhere during his six seasons with the Angels – in the training room, on the mound during pitching coach visits, even onto the field during bench-clearing brawls. They also spent ample time together away from the ballpark.

Teammates and opponents alike have said over the years that Ohtani understands plenty of English, but doesn’t always feel comfortable speaking it – just like many second-language learners.

How Ohtani carries himself moving forward will be something that will be analyzed ad nauseum.

Roberts called Ohtani savvy enough to not need somebody at his side every moment, even when it comes to making in-game adjustments.

“I think he’s very capable (and) he’s been around baseball long enough,” Roberts said. “I think it’s naturally going to happen, but if he needs assistance or support, he has it. He knows that.”

HE’S BACK

Trying to remain all business, Ohtani got into the batter’s box in the first inning before the Angels’ tribute video in his honor was done playing. Ohtani ended up stepping out of the box to watch the video, then tipped his cap and bowed to the crowd on the first- and third-base sides.

Angels fans not only got to salute Ohtani for his past, they got to cheer when the Dodgers’ new star struck out swinging on five pitches against former teammate Chase Silseth.

New clips of Ohtani have been added to the pregame scoreboard montage to celebrate the club’s historic past.

TRIPLE THREAT

Whatever deficiencies Mookie Betts showed on defense in his move to shortstop, Roberts says those are becoming less of a concern by the day.

“To get to balls to his right has probably been his biggest challenge but with (coaches) Dino Ebel, Chris Woodward and (shortstop) Miguel Rojas, that three-headed monster has been very beneficial for Mookie,” Roberts said. “My eyes have told me that he has gotten considerably better as a shortstop in a short amount of time.”

Roberts still sees Rojas getting plenty of time on the infield, specifically at shortstop, with Betts possibly moving to second base for Gavin Lux in the late innings.

ALSO

Dodgers right fielder Jason Heyward was a late scratch before Tuesday’s exhibition finale with lower back tightness and was replaced by Chris Taylor, who got the start in left field while Teoscar Hernandez moved from left field to right. … The Dodgers clinched the Cactus League title with their 14-6 record and .700 winning percentage before Tuesday’s game. The last two Cactus League titles were won by the Angels and they recorded a 73-89 record and a .451 winning percentage in each of the past two regular seasons.