Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani to Speak to Media on Monday amid Ippei Mizuhara Investigation

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani will speak to the media Monday, marking the first time he has talked to reporters since stories regarding his ex-interpreter Ippei Mizuhara's alleged theft surfaced last week.

Berk Brettler LLP, which represents Ohtani, said its client "has been the victim of massive theft," per ESPN's Tisha Thompson.

"In the course of responding to recent media inquiries, we discovered that Shohei has been the victim of a massive theft, and we are turning the matter over to the authorities," the statement read.

This was a different story than what was originally laid out to ESPN, as an Ohtani spokesperson told the outlet last week that at least $4.5 million in wire transfers were sent from Ohtani's bank account to pay off Mizuhara's gambling debts:

"Initially, a spokesman for Ohtani told ESPN the slugger had transferred the funds to cover Mizuhara's gambling debt. The spokesman presented Mizuhara to ESPN for a 90-minute interview Tuesday night, during which Mizuhara laid out his account in great detail. However, as ESPN prepared to publish the story Wednesday, the spokesman disavowed Mizuhara's account and said Ohtani's lawyers would issue a statement."

That's when the story changed, adding confusion to an already complex situation.

The Dodgers have since fired Mizuhara. MLB's commissioner's office announced Friday evening that it opened an investigation into the matter.

"Major League Baseball has been gathering information since we learned about the allegations involving Shohei Ohtani and Ippei (Mizuhara) from the news media. Earlier today, our Department of Investigations began their formal process investigating the matter."

Ohtani signed with the Dodgers on a 10-year contract worth a record-breaking $700 million. The former L.A. Angel has won two of the last three American League MVP awards and dominated last year to the tune of an MLB-high 1.066 OPS and an American League-best 44 home runs. He also excelled on the mound with a 10-5 record, 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts over 23 starts.

Accusations of the magnitude presented to the public are serious no matter the player, but Ohtani is obviously the game's biggest and brightest superstar. All eyes will be on him Monday as he speaks to the media for the first time since everything broke.