Speaking to reporters through interpreter Will Ireton, the replacement for former translator Ippei Mizuhara, Ohtani conceded that his return to the mound will be delayed. Matthew Hiltzik, founder of the firm, subsequently connected Thompson with Mizuhara, Ohtani’s longtime interpreter. Bowyer told viewers on Instagram that ESPN interviewed him for around 12 hours across multiple days of recordings. Prior to Tuesday’s event, Bowyer told the audience that he had a 40-minute chat with Thompson earlier that night. “He wouldn’t gamble $5, so you don’t just start gambling $40 million,” said Bowyer of Ohtani.