| Leo Núñez | |
|---|---|
Núñez in 2009. |
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| Miami Marlins – No. 46 | |
| Relief pitcher | |
| Born: Bonao, Dominican Republic | |
| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| May 9, 2005 for the Kansas City Royals | |
| Career statistics (through 2011) |
|
| Win-loss record | 18–20 |
| Earned run average | 4.34 |
| Strikeouts | 288 |
| Saves | 92 |
| Teams | |
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Leo Núñez (born Juan Carlos Oviedo on March 15, 1982 in Bonao, Dominican Republic)[1][2] is a pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Miami Marlins. He bats and throws right-handed.
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Núñez was originally signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an undrafted free agent on February 16, 2000. From 2001 to 2004, he was a 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. 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. Núñez finished the 2005 season with a 3–2 record and a 7.55 ERA in 41 games.
In 2006, Núñez 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, Núñez 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.[3]
After the 2008 season, Núñez was traded by the Royals to the Florida Marlins for first baseman Mike Jacobs.[4] In 2009, Núñez became the Marlins closer after Matt Lindstrom was placed on the disabled list in late June. He finished the season with 26 saves.
On September 22, 2011, the Florida Marlins placed Núñez on the restricted list without listing a reason.[5] 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.[6][7] Dominican Central Electoral Commission President Roberto Rosario said that Oviedo signed a sworn statement saying he used fake identification documents.[8] Dominican consul general Manuel Felipe Almanzar said Oviedo was from Bonao and not Jamao al Norte. The actual Leo Núñez was Oviedo's best friend since childhood. Oviedo assumed the new identity in order to receive a more lucrative contract while appearing to be 16 years old instead of 17.[2] 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."[9]