Juan Carlos

Oviedo

Now Nunez has three months of service time under his belt and the Royals know what they should have figured in the first place -- that he wasn’t ready for the majors. The 21-year-old had an 8.54 ERA in 39 innings.

Nunez gave up six runs in 11 innings during his two weeks with the Royals. He’ll be back in September.

The move opens up a roster spot for Todd Wellemeyer. Nunez didn’t get into a game during his latest stint with the Royals.

Nunez had a 4.29 ERA and a 22/12 K/BB ratio in 21 innings for Wichita. A year after he was first promoted, he’s still not nearly ready for the majors. He’s getting called up mostly because he’s on the 40-man roster and some better choices aren’t.

Nunez gave up one run in 2 1/3 innings during his last stint with the Royals, then spent the minimum of 10 days in the minors. He’ll pitch in middle relief again.

Nunez allowed one run in 2 1/3 innings of relief after being called up on Wednesday.

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.

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.

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 for another six weeks because of the way the way Major League Baseball has reportedly opted to handle his years of identify fraud. It’s a good thing the Fish signed closer Heath Bell this winter.

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.