Juan Carlos Oviedo has received a pardon from the U.S. State Department for admitting to falsifying his identity and is expected to secure a work visa soon. A newspaper in the Dominican Republic reported earlier that Oviedo had already acquired his visa, but that won't happen for another couple of days. The 28-year-old right-hander (formerly named Leo Nunez) will then have to serve an eight-week suspension handed down from Major League Baseball. He's not getting paid any part of his $6 million salary from the Marlins at this moment.

Barry Jackson and Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald report that Juan Carlos Oviedo will be suspended eight weeks, not six weeks as originally reported, for using a fake identity. It's been increased because MLB originally planned to suspend him for two weeks of spring training and six weeks of the regular season, but because he missed all of spring training, he'll have to serve all eight weeks during the season. Oviedo still hasn't received a visa to return to the United States, and the Marlins aren't sure when he'll get one. The suspension won't begin until then.

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Juan Carlos Oviedo will be handed a six-week suspension by MLB once he is cleared to return to the United States. Oviedo, formerly known as Leo Nunez, is hustling to complete an assigned number of community service hours in his native Dominican Republic. Once those are done, he'll be granted a visa. But the right-hander won't be allowed to rejoin the Marlins' bullpen right away. It's a good thing the Fish signed closer Heath Bell this winter.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com writes that there's "renewed hope" that Juan Carlos Oviedo will report to Marlins' camp "within a day or two." Oviedo, formerly known as Leo Nunez, is working through legal issues in his native Dominican Republic after admitting to falsifying his identity last September. He remains on baseball's restricted list and it's possible he could face discipline from MLB. Assuming he eventually rejoins the Marlins, he projects to serve as a set-up man in front of Heath Bell.

Juan Carlos Oviedo's agent, Andy Mota, hopes his client will receive a pardon "any day'' but is uncertain when it might come. Formerly known as Leo Nunez, Oviedo is working through legal issues in the Dominican Republic after admitting to falsifying his identity. Once he does finally arrive in the United States, he could also face discipline from Major League Baseball. Assuming he eventually works his way back into the Marlins bullpen, he'll be used as a setup man in front of closer Heath Bell.

Juan Carlos Oviedo will not report to camp on time. Oviedo is still working through legal issues in the Dominican Republic after admitting to falsifying his identity near the end of the 2011 season. He could also face discipline from Major League Baseball once he is finally cleared to travel to the United States. It's not yet clear when the right-hander might be active again. Heath Bell will be the Marlins' unchecked closer in 2012.

Marlins president David Samson said Thursday that Juan Carlos Oviedo will "probably not" start the season with the team. Oviedo is currently working through legal issues in his native Dominican Republic after admitting to falsifying his identity last year. While Samson believes he will probably be in spring training, he mentioned that the 29-year-old right-hander could face disciplinary action from MLB because "there was an acknowledged violation of the law." The Marlins and Oviedo avoided arbitration last month by agreeing to a one-year, $6 million contract, but he won't be paid as long as he remains on the restricted list.

The Marlins and RHP Juan Carlos Oviedo avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $6 million contract. Oviedo -- formerly known as Leo Nunez -- has yet to return to the states since revealing his true identity, but he's not facing charges of fraud in his native Dominican and should gain clearance by the start of spring training. The 29-year-old right-hander will function as a setup man this year behind new Marlins closer Heath Bell.

Marlins president Larry Beinfest is unsure if Juan Carlos Oviedo will be available for the 2012 season. Oviedo, formerly known as Leo Nunez, will not face charges in the Dominican Republic related to his identity fraud case, but evidently there are still some hurdles to clear in order for the U.S. government and Major League Baseball to allow him to return. The Marlins have tendered their former closer a contract but might end up trading him even if he does manage to make it to the states in time for spring training.

Juan Carlos Oviedo will not face charges in the Dominican Republic related to his identity fraud case. Oviedo, formerly known as Leo Nunez, was arrested on Thursday in the Dominican while trying to secure a visa under his real name. But the warrant was later revealed to be out of date and he was released quickly without bail. The Dominican authorities will not press charges against the 29-year-old right-hander because he is fully cooperating with the investigation into his own crime.