According to Perplexity

Major League Baseball (MLB) actively employs interpreters for many of its players, especially those whose first language is not English, such as players from Japan, Korea, and Latin America. The use of interpreters is commonplace due to the league's increasing diversity and multilingual teams.

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Notable MLB Players Using Interpreters

• Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers): Ohtani had a dedicated Japanese interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, who was widely known before Mizuhara's departure in 2024.

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• Ha-Seong Kim (San Diego Padres): Kim’s interpreter is Leo Bae, who came from South Korea with him and is known for his strong bond with Kim.

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• Masataka Yoshida (Boston Red Sox): Yoshida requested that his interpreter from Japan, Iichiro Wakabayashi, join him for his MLB career.

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• Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Los Angeles Dodgers): As another Japanese-speaking player, Yamamoto also works with an interpreter for media and in-game communications.

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Spanish-Language Interpreters

Since 2016, MLB rules have required every team to provide at least one year-round Spanish interpreter to assist Latin American players—who comprise a large part of many rosters. These interpreters often work with stars like:

• Carlos Correa

• Jose Altuve

• Yulieski Gurriel

• Randy Arozarena
  and other prolific Spanish-speaking players across various teams.

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Interpreter Roles

Interpreters don’t just translate language; they often help players with:

• Understanding and communicating strategies.

• Interactions with media, teammates, and coaches.

• Off-field needs like housing, medical visits, and daily life.

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Summary Table

PlayerTeamInterpreterLanguage

Shohei OhtaniLos Angeles DodgersFormerly Ippei MizuharaJapanese

Ha-Seong KimSan Diego PadresLeo BaeKorean

Masataka YoshidaBoston Red SoxIichiro WakabayashiJapanese

Numerous playersVarious (e.g. Astros, Rays, etc.)Team-appointed interpretersSpanish

Yoshinobu YamamotoLos Angeles DodgersTeam-appointedJapanese

Interpreters are now a standard part of the MLB landscape for both Asian and Latin American players, ensuring communication and inclusiveness across the league

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MLB players who use interpreters face a mix of language, cultural, and social challenges that make interpreters an essential resource for many athletes.

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Key Challenges Faced by Players

• Language Barriers: Many foreign-born players arrive in the U.S. with limited English proficiency. This makes it difficult to communicate with teammates, coaches, and media, especially during high-pressure game situations or detailed strategy discussions. Even if players have conversational English, complex or technical discussions often require precise translation.

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• Cultural Adjustment: Adjusting to a new country involves more than just learning the language; it also means adapting to American culture, understanding local customs, and managing daily life activities like shopping or securing housing.

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• Media and Public Communication: Players often choose interpreters for interviews so that their words are not misquoted or misinterpreted. Some have experienced negative reactions or ridicule for their accents or grammatical mistakes when speaking English, discouraging them from public speaking without help. There is also a concern that emotional or nuanced answers could be misunderstood or taken out of context, so interpreters can help smooth communication.

 

Reasons for Choosing Interpreters

• Accuracy and Confidence: Players prefer delivering accurate messages, especially during interviews or big games, where stakes and scrutiny are high. This ensures nothing is lost in translation or misunderstood.

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• Comfort and Support: Interpreters often become trusted companions, offering emotional and logistical support as well as translation. They help with off-field matters like housing, transportation, and even arranging family visits.

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• Integration and Team Communication: Even players who speak some English may use interpreters to facilitate better relationships in the clubhouse and ensure instructions or strategies are understood perfectly.

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• Protection from Misrepresentation: Players worry about saying something that could be misconstrued in another language, especially with media attention. Interpreters help ensure their intended message reaches the audience as they mean it.

 

Overall, interpreters help players navigate the demands of professional baseball in a new language and culture, making the transition smoother and allowing athletes to focus on their performance

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