TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -Arizona reliever Tony Pena got his visa and the Diamondbacks said Tuesday that he was en route to spring training.
The right-hander has had problems getting permission to return from his native Dominican Republic since it was discovered in 2004 that Pena was pitching in the Diamondbacks’ minor league system using the name and birth date of his younger cousin, Adriano Rosario.
The 26-year-old Pena was an important part of the strong bullpen that helped Arizona to the NL West title last season, going 5-4 with a 3.27 ERA. He is expected to be the setup man for new closer Brandon Lyon.
Manager Bob Melvin said Pena applied for his visa in mid-December.
“Based on the fact that he applied very early, it was just going to happen,” Melvin said. “It really wasn’t his fault. The things from the past still count to an extent, and I think they were a little more difficult this year.”
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