Indians pitcher Roberto Hernandez, formerly known as Fausto Carmona, has received his visa from the U.S. Consulate in the Dominican Republic and will arrive in Cleveland on Saturday, according to the Cleveland Plain-Dealer. His visa was originally approved on Monday, but had to receive clearance from the Department of Homeland Security.
According to Stephen Payne, a visa expert who has been working with Hernandez's agents, the pitcher will serve an MLB-mandated three-week suspension before returning to the Indians. Hernandez is eligible to return on Aug. 11. How soon he will move back into the lineup is still in the air, according to the report:
It will probably take that much time for Hernandez to get back in pitching shape. He has been throwing simulated games at the Indians baseball academy in the Dominican.
"I do know Roberto will be playing baseball for the Cleveland Indians -- if he's physically ready -- sometime in August," said Payne.
Hernandez will likely spend a stint of three or four starts in the minor leagues before returning to the majors.
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