Ippei Mizuhara reported to federal prison on Monday, as Shohei Ohtani made his long-awaited return to pitching

In the Dodgers ’ 6-3 win against the San Diego Padres on Monday, Ohtani made his long-awaited return as a pitcher from a September 2023 Tommy John operation, taking the mound in a Dodgers uniform for the first time as the club’s starter while also continuing to serve as their leadoff hitter in the lineup.

Just as Shohei Ohtani was beginning his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he found himself embroiled in a scandal due to illegal gambling activity by Ippei Mizuhara.

Shohei Ohtani made his highly anticipated return to the mound, and his first-ever appearance for the Dodgers on Monday against the Padres.

The former interpreter for Shohei Ohtani has started his federal prison sentence in Pennsylvania. Ippei Mizuhara is currently at Federal Correctional Institution Allenwood Low, ESPN reports. Mizuhara was sentenced to 57 months in prison after stealing nearly $17 million from Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani to pay off gambling debts.

For the first time in 21 months, Shohei Ohtani was able to do what makes him such an anomaly among big leaguers: pitch.

Shohei Ohtani looked rusty on his return to the mound for the Dodgers but still managed to pitch a 100 mph ball.

Caitlin Clark delivers for bettors in her return, Shohei Ohtani returns to the mound, and a longshot wins the U.S. Open.