The commissioner of Japanese baseball has announced that the first games of the upcoming Major League Baseball season will be played in Japan on 19 and 20 March 2025.

Shohei Ohtani and his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, are involved in a gambling case, with the baseball player saying he was "saddened and shocked" after making a direct accusation against Mizuhara.

Major League Baseball (MLB) on Friday announced a formal investigation into the scandal involving pitcher and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani and his former interpreter, saying the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar was the victim of a "massive theft," AFP and other sources reported.

His translator, Ippei Mizuhara, was sacked on Wednesday for allegedly stealing from Ohtani to pay off debts from illegal gambling. The case has been handed over to the authorities by the Japanese player's representatives. More than $4.5 million was taken from Ohtani's account.

South Korean police said no explosives were found at Seoul's Gocheok Sky Dome on Wednesday after searching the venue following a reported bomb threat against Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.

Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani hit a two-run home run on his first day with the Los Angeles Dodgers last Tuesday. It helped his team beat the Chicago White Sox 9-6. The slugger has signed with the Dodgers.

A locker room nameplate used by Shohei Ohtani when Japan won the World Baseball Classic for a record third time last month has been sold for $116,010 (£93,419/€105,883) in an online auction.

The cap worn by Shohei Ohtani during Japan’s victory over the United States in the World Baseball Classic earlier this month is to go on display at the World Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown New York.

The World Baseball Classic has been part of the calendar since 2006 but had never lived up to its name, passing unnoticed except in Japan, the winners in 2006 and 2009, and Dominican Republic, champions in 2013.

Japan eased past rivals South Korea 13-4 to secure their second straight win, while Chinese Taipei bounced back to defeat Italy 11-7 at the Tokyo Dome during the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Japan's Shohei Ohtani led his nation to a 8-1 victory over China with a two-run-double and four shutout innings at the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC).