Juan Carlos Oviedo

Juan Carlos Oviedo[1][2] (born March 15, 1982[lower-alpha 1]) is a Dominican former professional baseball pitcher. He bats and throws right-handed. At age 17, he began using the name Leo Núñez, although his true identity was revealed in 2011. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals, Florida Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays.

For Juan Carlos Oviedo, the Argentine footballer, see Juan Oviedo (footballer).

Juan Carlos Oviedo
Oviedo, then known as Leo Núñez, in 2009
Pitcher
Born: (1982-03-15) March 15, 1982
Bonao, Dominican Republic
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
May 9, 2005, for the Kansas City Royals
Last MLB appearance
July 19, 2014, for the Tampa Bay Rays
MLB statistics
Win–loss record21–23
Earned run average4.28
Strikeouts314
Saves93
Teams

Early life

Oviedo was born in Bonao in the Dominican Republic. At age 17, Oviedo assumed the identity of his 16-year-old best friend, Leo Nunez, in order to receive a more lucrative contract. In 2011, Marlins reliever Edward Mujica, a close friend of Oviedo's, said that "[a]t 17 years old, you maybe lose $100,000 or $150,000 when you sign [compared to a 16-year-old with the same skills]. And if you're like 18, you might sign for $5,000 and maybe they give you an opportunity."[3]

Professional career

Minor Leagues

Oviedo was originally signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an undrafted free agent on February 16, 2000. From 2001 to 2004, he was mainly used as a starting pitcher in the Pirates system. On December 16, 2004, he was traded to the Kansas City Royals for catcher Benito Santiago.

After being traded to the Royals, he was converted to a full-time relief pitcher. He began the 2005 season with the Single-A High Desert Mavericks. He was promoted to the Double-A Wichita Wranglers after posting a 9.00 ERA in eight games.

Kansas City Royals

He had his contract purchased by the big league club on May 9, 2005, and made his major league debut on the same day.

Along with teammates Ambiorix Burgos and Andrew Sisco, they were the first trio of rookie pitchers in major league history to throw at least 50.0 innings each without making a start. Oviedo finished the 2005 season with a 3–2 record and a 7.55 ERA in 41 games.

In 2006, Oviedo played for the Double-A Wranglers, Triple-A Omaha Royals, and at the major league level. He only played in seven major league games in 2006, with a 4.73 ERA.

In 2007, he was converted back into a starting pitcher.

On June 22, 2007, Oviedo would have been traded to the Oakland Athletics for outfielder Milton Bradley. However, according to the Royals report, Bradley was injured at the time, and the trade was voided.[4]

Florida/Miami Marlins

After the 2008 season, Oviedo was traded by the Royals to the Florida Marlins for first baseman Mike Jacobs.[5] In 2009, he became the Marlins closer after Matt Lindstrom was placed on the disabled list in late June. He finished the season with 26 saves.

On April 1, 2012, MLB announced that they would suspend Oviedo for 6 weeks after he was removed from the restricted list. Oviedo had to get a visa to be removed.[6] On May 28, Oviedo was suspended for 8 extra weeks for age and identity fraud. He would be eligible for one rehabilitation assignment in the minor leagues for a maximum of 16 days. He was eligible to play for the Marlins in the Major League on July 23.[7] During a triple-A rehab game on July 16, Oviedo sprained his right elbow's ulnar collateral ligament[8] and was later placed on disabled list.[9] On September 6, 2012, Oviedo underwent Tommy John surgery.[10]

Tampa Bay Rays

On January 22, 2013, Oviedo signed a minor league deal for the Tampa Bay Rays. He had his contract selected on March 31, 2013. Oviedo began the 2013 season on the 60-day disabled list still recovering from the Tommy John surgery he previously had. After missing all of the 2013 season, Oviedo had his $2 million club option for 2014 declined, and was instead paid a $30,000 buyout, making him a free agent.[11] The Rays later re-signed him for the 2014 season.[12] He was designated for assignment on July 26, 2014 and released on August 3.

Texas Rangers

On January 5, 2015, Oviedo signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers.[13] He was released by the Rangers on March 28.

Name controversy

On September 22, 2011, the Florida Marlins placed Oviedo on the restricted list without listing a reason.[14] The Associated Press reported that his real name was Juan Carlos Oviedo, that he was a year older than listed, and that he returned to the Dominican Republic to deal with the issue.[15][16] Dominican Central Electoral Commission President Roberto Rosario said that Oviedo signed a sworn statement saying he used fake identification documents.[17]

Notes
  1. Exact birth date is unclear due to name controversy. Some sources like MLB.com list March 15, 1982, while others list August 14, 1983.

References
  1. "DomRep official: Leo Nunez will not face charges". Sports Illustrated. September 27, 2011. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
  2. Fieser, Ezra; Robles, Frances (September 23, 2011). "Marlin formerly known as "Leo Núñez" faces jail time". The Miami Herald. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011.
  3. Hill, Jemele (September 28, 2011). "Blame the game for Leo Nunez's name". ESPN. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011.
  4. Kaegel, Dick. "Bradley-to-Royals deal voided", MLB.com, June 22, 2007. Accessed September 10, 2007.
  5. KC acquires power-hitting Jacobs
  6. Jackson, Barry (April 1, 2012). "Suspension set for Marlins' Oviedo". Miami Herald.
  7. http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7980498/miami-marlins-juan-carlos-oviedo-banned-8-weeks-id-fraud.
  8. Fernandez, Andre C. (July 17, 2012). "Miami Marlins' Juan Carlos Oviedo has sprained elbow". Miami Herald. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  9. Frisaro, Joe (August 29, 2012). "Ozzie wants Marlins to handle injuries differently". MLB. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  10. Rojas, Enrique (September 24, 2012). "Juan Carlos Oviedo has surgery". ESPN. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  11. Wilmoth, Charlie (November 4, 2013). "Rays Decline Juan Carlos Oviedo's Option". MLB Trade Rumors.
  12. http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/29/rays-re-sign-juan-carlos-oviedo/
  13. "Adam Rosales, Juan Carlos Oviedo agree to deals with Rangers". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 5, 2015. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  14. http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/09/23/2419863/closer-leo-nunez-suspended-by.html
  15. Wine, Steven. Archived September 23, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Associated Press, September 22, 2011. Accessed September 22, 2011.
  16. "Leo Nunez might not be Marlin closer's real name". CBS News.
  17. "Official: Leo Nunez Admits Using Fake Documents". The New York Times. Associated Press. September 23, 2011. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011.
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