Carmona arrested in identity case
CLEVELAND – Cleveland Indians pitcher Fausto Carmona has been arrested for allegedly using a false identity in the Dominican Republic, where officials are contesting his real name and birthdate.
A police spokesman said Carmona was arrested Thursday outside the U.S. consulate in Santo Domingo. Carmona had gone there to renew his visa so he could return to the United States. Indians pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to training camp in Goodyear, Ariz. next month.
Maximo Baez Aybar said Carmona’s real name is apparently Roberto Hernandez Heredia and he’s 31, three years older than the pitcher claimed. The Indians list Carmona’s birthday as Dec. 7, 1983, in their 2011 media guide.
“We were recently made aware of the situation that occurred today in the Dominican Republic and are currently in the process of gathering information,” Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said. “We are not prepared to make any additional comment at this time.”
Carmona’s agent said he was caught off-guard by the arrest and that there are Dominican lawyers working on the player’s behalf.
“This took us by complete surprise,” agent Jay Alou said. “What we have to do now is wait to find out the process that has to be done with the consulate with this new identity in order to see if he can get a new work visa.”
Carmona’s arrest is the second involving a major leaguer in four months in a false identity case. Miami Marlins reliever Leo Nunez was arrested in September. Last month, an apologetic Nunez said he falsified his identify when he was young so he could play professional baseball. Nunez’s real name is Juan Carlos Oviedo and he’s 29, a year older than listed in the Marlins’ media guide.
Carmona was the Indians’ Opening Day starter last season. The right-hander finished 7-15 with a 5.25 ERA in 32 starts, and the club picked up his $7 million option for 2012 in October.
The Indians signed Carmona to a four-year contract in 2008. The club has options on him for 2013 at $9 million and 2014 at $12 million.
Hall of Famer Carter’s health worsens: At New York, Gary Carter’s health has taken a turn for the worse.
The 57-year-old Hall of Fame catcher, diagnosed in May with a malignant brain tumor, received results of his latest MRI exam Thursday, according to the online journal of his daughter, Kimmy Bloemers.
She writes: “I wish I could say that the results were good. ... There are now several new spots/tumors on my dad’s brain. I write these words with tears because I am so sad for my dad.”
“Dr. Jimmy Harris will be coming to my parents’ house this evening to talk to the family about the next step,” she wrote.
Carter had the MRIs Jan. 13 in North Palm Beach, Fla., and the results were sent to his doctors at Duke University for evaluation.
A day earlier, he fell at a doctor’s appointment and completely tore a rotator cuff, Bloemers wrote, adding that he also fell on Christmas Eve.
“It is very painful and needs surgery, but all dad can do right now is rehab to heal,” she wrote.
