Shocking news came out of the Dominican Republic yesterday, as it was reported that Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Fausto Carmona was arrested for using a false identity. Carmona’s real name is reportedly Roberto Hernandez Heredia and, more importantly from a baseball standpoint, it’s being reported that Carmona is actually 31-years-old instead of 28.
Carmona was arrested in his native DR yesterday as he was leaving the American consulate. Shortly before the arrest, Carmona had been renewing his visa in order to return to the United States for spring training.
The Indians seemed just as shocked as baseball fans, as general manager Chris Antonetti told reporters that the club was only “made aware of the situation” involving Carmona yesterday. Antonetti and the Indians had little more to share as they said they were still “in the process of gathering information”.
Entering the offseason, the Indians decided to pick up Carmona’s $7 million club option for the 2012 season. It is unknown at this time how Cleveland will handle the situation; whether they are able to void the contract or if they’d have to add Carmona to their restricted list.
If Carmona’s added to the restricted list, he would not count against the Indians 25- or 40-man rosters, he would not be paid and he wouldn’t be able to join another team for the duration of his restriction.
This is how the Marlins handled the Leo Nunez – Juan Carlos Oviedo situation. Though the Marlins and Oviedo recently worked out a contract agreement for next year, they still are not paying him until he is able to sort out his visa issues and return to the US.
Carmona’s case is a bit different from Nunez’s due to the fact that the timing of the revelation puts the Indians up against it. Cleveland is not sure if Carmona will be available this spring or to start the year, something they had been counting on all offseason.
Though Carmona struggled last season (5.25 ERA, 1.405 WHIP), he was an All-Star in 2010 and Cy Young candidate in 2007.
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