Bomb Threat Targets MLB Season Opener Game Between Dodgers and Padres

The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres’ MLB season opener in Seoul was the target of a bomb threat, according to local reports.

Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers are due to play their California neighbors in the first game of the new season early on Wednesday in the South Korean capital.

But local media reports claim that police received an email in the hours before the game from somebody threatening to detonate a bomb at the Gocheok Sky Dome.

The threat, written in English, was sent in an email to an official at South Korea’s consulate general in Vancouver, Canada, and said the sender was a Japanese lawyer, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap. 

The police had dispatched special operations officers to make checks at the stadium but no sign of an explosive device had been detected, it said.

Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers are due to play the Padres in Seoul on Wednesday

Police had dispatched special operations officers to make checks at the Gocheok Sky Dome

According to the Los Angeles Times police have determined the threat was not credible and identified the perpetrator as somebody with a history of making hoax calls.

‘The safety and security of our fans and everyone in the ballparks where we play are always our first priority,’ the league said in a statement.

‘MLB Security works closely with local officials to ensure a safe environment for all those who attend our games. 

‘MLB, along with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and other local officials, will continue to monitor the situation closely and take any appropriate steps throughout the event.’ 

Wednesday’s game if the first of two between the Dodgers and Padres. They are the first regular-season games to take place in South Korea. 

In December, Ohtani signed a record $700million, 10-year contract to join the Dodgers. 

Ohtani will make his competitive Dodgers debut after signing a record $700m, 10-year deal

South Korean police said they’ve found no explosives at Seoul’s Gocheok Sky Dome

He underwent surgery on his right elbow last September and will not pitch this season. He will be used as a designated hitter and there is a possibility he could play in the field.

Instead of Ohtani pitching, newly acquired Dodgers star Tyler Glasnow will go up against Padres star Yu Darvish. 

Ohtani admitted earlier this week he is aware of the intense international media focus on the games in Seoul.

‘I appreciate all the attention. Obviously, attention is always great, being a baseball player and being able to play with these great guys next to me. I’m really excited,’ Ohtani said, referring to his two teammates speaking at the news conference, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.

‘I’m really used to the attention, but I just try to focus on what’s in front of me, whatever it is.’