Marlins reliever Leo Nunez forced to leave U.S. after identity issue

A. Isaac Senior Editor

Leo Nunez 135x95 Marlins reliever Leo Nunez forced to leave U.S. after identity issue

As it turns out, even Major League Baseball is susceptible to the ol’ “Danny Almonte” sham. Leo Nunez, a reliever for the Florida Marlins, is not who he says he is and he’s been forced to leave the states because of it.

According to AP sources, his real name is Juan Carlos Oviedo and he’s 29, not 28.

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.

Just so we’re clear, the Marlins knowingly harbored an illegal immigrant or at the very least, someone who was clearly defrauding the U.S. government? Wow. I know they like to keep their payroll relatively low in Miami, but this is probably going too far.

AP Sources: Marlins’ Nunez faces ID issue [AP]

What'd you think of this?

Cast My Vote

comment on this story

blog comments powered by Disqus