SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — The former interpreter for Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani is expected to be sentenced Thursday for bank and tax fraud after he stole nearly $17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers player’s bank account.

Ippei Mizuhara admitted to quietly siphoning off millions of dollars from the baseball superstar to pay off lost wagers.

Ippei Mizuhara, the former Japanese interpreter who pleaded guilty to stealing from Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani to cover gambling debts, is to be sentenced Thursday.

Ippei Mizuhara pleaded guilty last year to one count of bank fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return.

Ohtani became the first player in league history to tally 50 home runs and stolen bases in the same season, inventing MLB's 50/50 club. He accomplished that while recovering from UCL surgery, which prevented Ohtani from contributing on the mound last season, when he served as LA's designated hitter in 159 games played.

Ippei Mizuhara has a federal court sentencing hearing set for Thursday afternoon for taking almost $17 million from Dodgers player Shohei Ohtani. He was Ohtani's translator.

The former interpreter for Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani is expected to be sentenced for bank and tax fraud after he stole nearly $17 million from the Dodgers player’s bank account.