Nationals Notebook
Agent Says Alvarez Is Having Visa Issues
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Tuesday, March 10, 2009
VIERA, Fla., March 9 -- The agent for Washington Nationals prospect Carlos Alvarez said Monday that he doubts his client -- who lied about both his age and his name when the club signed him for a $1.4 million bonus in 2006 -- will be in camp when the rest of Washington's minor leaguers report on Friday.
Stanley King met with Nationals' acting general manager Mike Rizzo on Monday at Space Coast Stadium. He said that while Alvarez, who had been known as Esmailyn González, has a new passport in his given name, he is having trouble getting a visa that would allow him to leave the Dominican Republic and work in the U.S.
"It's an immigration issue at this point," King said. "I haven't heard anything yet. We are still waiting. As soon as that comes through, he is scheduled to come. He wants to come."
Even though Alvarez was 20 when the club signed him -- believing he was 16 -- he is still Washington's property, and it is up to the team to determine at what level he should play when and if he arrives. He won the batting title in the rookie level Gulf Coast League last season, but his age dictates he should move to a higher level this year.
"If he can really play, he'll be able to make it to the big leagues," Manager Manny Acta said. "He's not the first one. He's not going to be the last one. What is he now, 23? If in three years, he makes it to the big leagues, he'll be 26 years old. You have a bunch of guys in Double-A and Triple-A that are 26 years old."
One aspect of Alvarez's future that is not up for debate is how he will be addressed when he arrives.
"I think he is going to be Carlos Alvarez from now forward," King said. "I think his days of being someone other than who he is are over."
Balester Shaky
Right-hander Collin Balester, hoping to land a spot in the rotation, had his second rough outing in a row Monday, allowing four runs on four hits -- including home runs on fastballs up in the zone to Hunter Pence and Humberto Quintero -- in three innings in an 8-6 victory over the Houston Astros. Balester now has allowed eight runs in eight innings over three outings this spring.
"You can't get discouraged about it," Balester said. "You just got to hope it doesn't happen again and work hard."
