Closer Juanky "Leo Nunez" Oviedo Suspended by Marlins; May be in Camp Soon

[Erick]

I meant that several Dominican players seem to change their identity. And some who have have just not yet been caught.

[Bobbob1313]

Oh. That was weird.

[jOOj]

Juan Carlos Oviedo! His amigos call him Omar.

[HUGG]

Well, I guess this confirms the idea that Leo Nunez is not a closer.

[MiamiHomer]

MIAMI -- Florida Marlins closer Leo Nunez has been playing under an assumed name, and the issue prompted him to return Thursday to his native Dominican Republic, two people familiar with his immigration status said.

Both people said the Marlins have been aware of the issue for several months. They spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because Dominican and team officials haven't made any public comment on the case.

One of the people said Nunez's real name is Juan Carlos Oviedo and he's 29, a year older than listed in the team media guide. The Marlins placed Nunez on Major League Baseball's restricted list, and he isn't expected to pitch in the final week of the season.

His agent, Andy Mota, declined to comment. The Marlins traveled Thursday to Milwaukee for their final road series of the season.

Nunez has 36 saves and a 4.06 ERA in 68 games this year. His ERA was 2.59 in late May but is 6.00 since then.

The right-hander has an effective changeup and a fastball that reaches 97 mph, and in three seasons with Florida he has 92 saves. He pitched a scoreless ninth inning in Wednesday's victory over Atlanta.

Nunez, who is married, turned professional in 2000 when he signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was traded to Kansas City in late 2004 and made his major league debut with the Royals the following season. The Marlins traded for him after the 2008 season.

According to his Marlins biography, he was born in Jamao al Norte, Dominican Republic, and lives in Bonao.

Nunez will be in his final year of arbitration after this season and was expected to make about $6 million in 2012. Even before the issue regarding his identity surfaced, it was unclear whether the Marlins would try to re-sign him.

The players' association had not immediately determined whether to challenge the Marlins' decision to place him on the restricted list, a person familiar with the union's deliberations said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the union had not made any public statements.

Report: 'Leo Nunez' has ID issue

[Chewford]

It was all part of Operation Treadstone!

[dim]

Wow, this thread was just screaming for some good comedy. Dominican Marlins player caught in a case of a Miguel Tejada situation, the closer nonetheless, and all I've read so far is two pages of crap. Congrats all ya'll who ruined what could've been a fun thread to read. Bleh.

[Chewford]

Wow, this thread was just screaming for some good comedy. Dominican Marlins player caught in a case of a Miguel Tejada situation, the closer nonetheless, and all I've read so far is two pages of crap. Congrats all ya'll who ruined what could've been a fun thread to read. Bleh.

Please provide your best jest regarding this information then.

[dim]

Nah. Always the critic, never the criticized.

[Chewford]

A priest, a rabbi, and Leo Nunez walk into a bar.

[dim]

Is the punchline Juan Oviedo (I refuse to call him Leo anymore out of pure enjoyment) running out of the bar as immigration chases him?

[Beef]

dim used to neg me if I said anything negative about the Heatles.

He is LeBatard's dad, minus the endearing part.

[dim]

Bitching about negs publicly=neg for you!

[Beef]

Bitching about negs would have been if I had brought it up months ago. I bring it up now to show your silliness after you tried to shit on my Cages

[dim]

More negs for you!

/Beefderailingthisthread