Juan Carlos Oviedo is slammed eight weeks suspension by Major League Baseball - MLB Update
Juan Carlos Oviedo reached South Florida on Monday and as was expected, Major League Baseball disallowed him to play any game in the season until completion of eight weeks.
This slowed down the enthusiasm that the Miami Marlins’ showed on the prospect of getting a quality relief pitcher to their bullpen.
Good news for the Marlins however is that no restriction has been imposed as regard to practicing and taking part in the extended Spring Training.
He can go back to Minor League facilities and fine-tune his rhythm. Marlins are going to send him for 16 days Minor League rehabilitation games, as part of their plan to use him as a major weapon in the season.
According to reports, this will come just before the days when he will be nearing the end of eight weeks suspension; because, helping him work out control and show command by then will be more beneficial. It will make sure he faces no issue by the time he
enters the season immediately afterwards.
He will appear in his first game of the season on July 23, during a series opener against the Atlanta Braves.
Oviedo was banned last year as it was found that he faked identity and tried to hoodwink the system. His progress as relief pitcher met a serious setback. He was going with 92 saves and 18-20 win-loss record and was on his way to reach climax in the career.
All of a sudden the whole identity issue came out and derailed him from his quest.
Before growing over-ambitious, the Marlins cannot afford to overlook his command and whether the fastballs he can throw are still as effective as they once were.
For, the time he stayed out and never played at such a big level will certainly not allow him to get to his groove straight away.
He will take his time in detecting areas to focus on and how hits can be blocked late in the innings.
His role most probably is going to be as closer. With Heath Bell, the Marlins’ relief pitcher going through lean period, the manager Ozzie Guillen will be placing high hopes on him.
Oviedo can script a new journey as Marlins, by becoming quality reliever and helping the club in protecting lead frequently in the season.
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