During the Los Angeles Dodgers’ training camp on Friday, Shohei Ohtani was in high spirits while interacting with the media. The Japanese star player humorously addressed questions about his translator, joking about some “bullies” who might still prompt the need for translation assistance.
Ohtani, a renowned two-way player, has been dominant both at the plate and on the mound. After recovering from surgery that sidelined him for the entire 2024 season, he returned to pitching in June 2025. That season, he maintained his hitting prowess, becoming the first player since Alex Rodriguez to record 50 or more home runs consecutively, finishing with a .282 batting average, 55 home runs, and 102 RBIs.
Ohtani’s Historic 2025 Season and Postseason Success
In the 2025 postseason, Ohtani continued to impress by hitting eight home runs and maintaining a .265 batting average, playing an instrumental role in the Dodgers’ consecutive World Series victories. His remarkable performance earned him his third straight Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
The legend continues!Shohei Ohtani is the NL MVP for the second straight season! pic.twitter.com/aVC7HqxENQ— MLB (@MLB) November 14, 2025
At the 101st annual Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) Awards Gala in New York, Ohtani surprised many by delivering his MVP acceptance speech entirely in English, earning praise from fans and the media alike.
Shohei Ohtani just delivered a 2-minute+ long speech in English after accepting the NL MVP Award at the BBWA Award show.Ohtani thanked his Dodgers teammates, coaching staff and went in-depth on what this award means to him.That’s our superstar 🥲 pic.twitter.com/hNdZVCf2ES— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) January 25, 2026
Why Ohtani Still Relies on His Translator
Despite his impressive English speech, when asked whether he would still need his translator Will Ireton, Ohtani responded with humor, emphasizing that the translator’s presence remains necessary due to some “bullies” who might toss unexpected or strange questions his way.
I still need him because there might be some bullies out there that might give me some weird questions that I’m sure he can handle.
Shohei Ohtani said
Will Ireton has been Ohtani’s translator since March 2024, following a scandal involving the previous interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Mizuhara was dismissed after being implicated in a gambling controversy that included allegations of stealing money from Ohtani’s account. Mizuhara was sentenced to 57 months in prison in February 2025.
Prospects for Ohtani’s Cy Young Award in the Upcoming Season
Although Ohtani has accumulated numerous accolades throughout his career, winning a Cy Young Award has eluded him. With the 2026 season approaching and his health recovered, speculation surrounds whether Ohtani aims to achieve this pitching honor.
Last season demonstrated his pitching abilities, including an impressive Game 4 performance in the National League Championship Series (NLCS) against the Milwaukee Brewers, where he recorded 10 strikeouts and hit three home runs. However, the Cy Young recognition has so far been out of reach; Ohtani earned votes only once in 2022, posting a 15-9 record with a 2.33 ERA across 28 starts.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts conveyed optimism about Ohtani’s potential to join the Cy Young conversation, emphasizing that health and consistent starts are the primary goals for the season.
I think it’s fair to say, he expects to be in the Cy Young conversation. But we just want him to be healthy and make starts. All the numbers and statistics will take care of themselves.
Dave Roberts said regarding Shohei Ohtani
“He expects to be in the Cy Young conversation.” — Dave Roberts on Shohei Ohtani.Tune in at 6:00 PM for more on Access SportsNet: Dodgers. pic.twitter.com/9n95UvgkF6— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) February 13, 2026
Ohtani’s Focus Remains on Staying Healthy and Contributing to Team Japan
When questioned about the Cy Young prospects, Ohtani highlighted that his priority is maintaining health throughout the year, considering any award a positive outcome of being able to pitch effectively over the whole season.
If the end result is getting a Cy Young, that’s great. Getting a Cy Young means being able to throw more innings and pitch throughout the whole season, so if that’s the end result, that’s a good sign for me. I’m just focused on being healthy the whole year.
Shohei Ohtani said via his translator Will Ireton
Currently, Ohtani is concentrating on remaining fit as he prepares to represent Team Japan at the upcoming World Baseball Classic (WBC). Despite uncertainties about his pitching role during the tournament, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced that Ohtani will not pitch in the WBC. Team Japan will begin its title defense on March 6 at Tokyo Dome.
The legend continues!
Shohei Ohtani is the NL MVP for the second straight season! pic.twitter.com/aVC7HqxENQ
— MLB (@MLB) November 14, 2025
Shohei Ohtani just delivered a 2-minute+ long speech in English after accepting the NL MVP Award at the BBWA Award show.
Ohtani thanked his Dodgers teammates, coaching staff and went in-depth on what this award means to him.
That’s our superstar 🥲
pic.twitter.com/hNdZVCf2ES— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) January 25, 2026
Shohei Ohtani gave his MVP speech in English. So, Ohtani was asked if he'll still need Will Irenton to be his interpreter.
"I still need him because there might be some bullies out there that might give me some weird questions that I'm sure he can handle."@sportingtrib pic.twitter.com/ryAD01R6Ss
— Fredo Cervantes (@FredoCervantes) February 13, 2026
“He expects to be in the Cy Young conversation.” — Dave Roberts on Shohei Ohtani.
Tune in at 6:00 PM for more on Access SportsNet: Dodgers. pic.twitter.com/9n95UvgkF6
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) February 13, 2026
