The Los Angeles Dodgers are preparing for perhaps the most anticipated home opener in franchise history but this comes as Major League Baseball is investigating one of the team’s, and the world’s, most famous athletes.
The Boys in Blue, who have already split a two-game regular season series in Seoul, South Korea against the San Diego Padres, will take on the St. Louis Cardinals.
Santa Clarita native Tyler Glasnow, one of the team’s many big-name additions this off-season, will start the game for Los Angeles against Miles Mikolas of the Cardinals.
Two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani, the biggest acquisition for any team this year, will make also his Dodger Stadium regular-season debut.
Ohtani, who won’t pitch this season while recovering from a second Tommy John surgery, was 3 for 10 with two RBIs in the Seoul Series.
The $700 million star is trying to remain focused on the field after the firing of his longtime interpreter and friend Ippei Mizuhara, who Ohtani said Monday stole money from him to pay off gambling debts.
Mizuhara was fired while the Dodgers were in South Korea last week.
Investigations are underway by the IRS and Major League Baseball.
MLB’s investigation of Ohtani’s role in the events could last weeks or months, and it’s unlikely to be publicized until it’s complete.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts posited Tuesday that Mizuhara’s absence could be good for Ohtani, saying Mizuhara had been a “buffer” between the Japanese star and his new teammates.
The first pitch for Thursday’s home opener is scheduled for 1:10 p.m.
Multi-platinum singer, songwriter and actor Josh Groban will sing the National Anthem.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.