Florida Marlins’ Leo Nunez is Juan Carlos Oviedo – MLB News
With six games still remaining in the regular season, Florida Marlins' closer Leo Nunez is already on his way back to the Dominican Republic to sort out his ‘name’ issues. Marlins placed their closer on the restricted list on Wednesday, September 21 to facilitate
his return.
Florida’s team spokesman confirmed Nunez’s placement on the restricted list and a subsequent return to his native hometown to sort out a personal matter. A league source, however, added that immigration issue is central to this controversy.
Talking to reporters, the league source established that Leo’s ouster from the season-ending six games is not due to improper conduct and has something more to do with wrong information which the Marlins were aware of. Nunez’s real name is probably Juan
Carlos Oviedo and his actual age is 29, a year more than his stated age in Major League Baseball.
MLB admitted that there have been numerous such cases in the past where players have falsified their actual information. Nunez is also suspected of falsifying his information and a clarification in this regard from the authorities in Dominican Republic would
elucidate the confusion.
This, however, will not necessarily influence Nunez’s career. An observer said, “At this point in his career it doesn’t seem like a big deal. In reality, what is the big deal unless it turns out he is Fidel Castro in disguise.”
This is not the first time that the Marlins have had an issue with a Dominican player. They drafted Juan Nova in August 2000 but he later turned out to be Carlos Martinez. Nonetheless, he continued with his career with the Marlins, who eventually introduced
him to MLB in 2006.
Nunez has proved his versatility on the mound for the Marlins and expects a 60 percent rise in his current salary for the Marlins next season. With no other dependable options for this position, the Marlins were prepared to extend his contract, but their
stance after this issue remains unknown up till now.
Nunez’s agent, Andy Mota, refused to comment on this development.
With the season almost over, Leo’s inability to return for the next season will be detrimental for the Marlins. It will be interesting to see how things develop.
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