Report: 'Leo Nunez' has ID issue

[The Lone Granger]

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.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7005864/florida-marlins-closer-leo-nunez-id-issue-report-says

Wow, very interesting. So what kind of punishment could he receive for this? I just find it weird when things like this come out. Why would you lie about your age and name to play in baseball? I'm not really sure what will come out of this. Anyone else have more information or knowledge of what will happen?

Thoughts?

 

[Mexi]

i dont what will happen, but this happens from time to time

Wandy Rodriguez lied years ago while he was in the minors
Vlad Guerrero came out a few years ago and said he was older
same with Miguel Tejada, whose real last name is actually Tejeda

 

[snipezo]

Yea a lot of latin players lie about their age and stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAADCZrkFKA

lol

 

[Rios15]

But what's the whole point?

 

[snipezo]

I'm guessing they want bigger bonuses and all that stuff.

 

[Big Bid'Ness]

From:realgm

Leo Nunez Admits To Faking ID

Marlins closer Leo Nunez has admitted to using fake documents and a fake ID to sign a professional contract more than a year ago.

Central Electoral Commission President Roberto Rosario said at a news conference that Nunez signed a sworn statement in the Dominican Republic saying he is not the person identified in official documents.

Nunez returned to his native Dominican Republic on Thursday amid accusations that he was playing under an assumed name.

A source claims that his real name is Juan Carlos Oviedo, and he's 29, a year older than listed in the team media guide.

 

[Big Bid'Ness]

From:realgm

It Was Dying Father's Wish For 'Nunez' For Reclaim Identity

Earlier this year, Juan Carlos Oviedo, who pitched under the name Leo Nunez, was at home in the Dominican Republic when his dying father requested that he come clean and regain his true identity.

Oviedo honored his late father's wish when he turned himself into authorities earlier this month, confessing that he had assumed the name and age of a childhood friend in order to improve his marketability as a baseball prospect.

He could now face criminal charges in his home country and has been placed on Major League Baseball's restricted list.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

Who knows, maybe he has a bad family history or something and felt he needed a false identity to get into the country.