MLB Network's Jon Morosi apologized Friday night for reporting what he called "inaccurate information" about Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani and sending the baseball world in a frenzy.
Morosi originally reported at 1 p.m. PT Friday on X (formerly known as Twitter) that Ohtani was "en route to Toronto" but hadn't agreed to a contract with any team, and he cited sources for the information about the free-agent two-way phenom. However, USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale, Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith and the New York Post's Jon Heyman all refuted Morosi's report, saying Ohtani was at home in Southern California, not on his way to Canada.
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The Blue Jays are among five reported finalists for Ohtani, along with the Giants, Dodgers, Angels and Cubs. Morosi said Friday morning, before the "inaccurate" report, that the Blue Jays "have certainly improved their standing" on Ohtani -- something Giants fans who hope he'll land in the Bay definitely hope isn't true.
San Francisco Giants
Earlier this week, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported that Ohtani is believed to have met with Blue Jays officials Monday at the team's spring training complex in Dunedin, Fla.
The latest Ohtani news wave started Friday morning, when Dodgers Nation's J.P Hoornstra cited multiple sources in reporting that Ohtani would sign with the Blue Jays. Other MLB reporters, including Sportsnet's Nicholson-Smith and Shi Davidi, quickly refuted that, too.
An official Ohtani decision reportedly could come as early as Friday, but the entire process has been shrouded in secrecy, and now there has been erroneous reporting.