Report: Juan Carlos Oviedo 'Close' to Obtaining His Visa to Return to Marlins

Miami Marlins reliever Juan Carlos Oviedo—formerly known as Leo Nunez—is now one step closer to rejoining the team.

CBSSports.com Insider Jon Heyman reports that Oviedo is "close" to obtaining the work visa that would allow him to return to the Marlins (via C. Trent Rosecrans).

ESPN.com's Enrique Rojas confirms the report, saying that Oviedo has received a pardon from the U.S. State Department. This is a mandatory requirement for eligibility for a visa.

On the subject, Oviedo was quoted as saying (via Rojas), "I don't want to talk much about that (the process). I am waiting for a call from the consulate. I have the hope that everything will be OK, but I still don't have the visa."

Oviedo will report to an extended spring training upon his return, but MLB has suspended him eight weeks. He is allowed to report to the extended spring during his suspension.

At 30 years old, Oviedo still has a few solid years left in him.

There is no reason to believe that this situation will have an effect on his performance, so his return will definitely be welcomed by a Marlins squad that has blown nine of 18 save opportunities prior to play on Thursday.

Oviedo has saved 92 games over the past three seasons and is a free agent following 2012.