Arrested last week in the Dominican Republic on false identity charges, Carmona was placed on baseball’s restricted list Thursday by the club. The Indians had to apply to the commissioner’s office in order to have Carmona placed on the list due to his unusual legal entanglement. Players on the restricted list do not count against a team’s 25- or 40-man roster and will not be paid until they report.
Players can remain on the list for two years.
Carmona was arrested outside the U.S. consulate in Santo Domingo and charged with falsifying his name and birthdate so he could play for the Indians, who signed him as a free agent in 2000. Authorities in his homeland revealed Carmona’s real name is Roberto Hernandez Heredia and that he’s 31 — three years older than the Indians believed.
Carmona’s birthdate is listed as Dec. 7, 1983, in Cleveland’s media guide, meaning he was 17 when he signed.
He was released from jail and ordered to stay in the Dominican to complete his judicial process. The Indians report to training camp next month, but it appears unlikely Carmona will have his case resolved by then.
Carmona, who is scheduled to make $7 million this season, was slotted be in the middle of the Indians’ starting rotation with Ubaldo Jimenez, Justin Masterson, Josh Tomlin and Derek Lowe. In case Carmona’s legal trouble keeps him away for an extended period, the Indians acquired starter Kevin Slowey in a trade with Colorado.
Earlier this week, Indians manager Manny Acta said the team is doing all it can to help Carmona, who has had an erratic career since going 19-8 in 2007. The club has been gathering information as it tries to work through the complexities of Carmona’s situation.
FIELDER INTRODUCED
The Tigers introduced Prince Fielder after finalizing a $214 million, nine-year contract with the free agent first baseman.
Fielder was born in 1984, the last time Detroit won the World Series. After luring him back to Michigan with the fourth-largest deal in baseball history, the Tigers are hoping Fielder will help usher in a new championship era for the Motor City.
“This is awesome,” said Fielder, whose dad, Cecil, hit 51 homers for Detroit in 1990. “It’s kind of a dream come true. I’m excited.”
SHORT HOPS
Closer John Franco, who saved a New York Mets-record 276 games from 1990-2004, will be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame before the June 3 game against St. Louis. … Free-agent reliever Brad Lidge agreed to a one-year contract with the Nationals. … The Yankees finalized their $10 million, one-year deal with free-agent right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, and settled their final salary arbitration case by agreeing with left-hander Boone Logan on a one-year contract worth $1,875,000. … The A’s and Jonny Gomes finalized a $1 million, one-year contract. … The Indians agreed to terms with free-agent reliever Dan Wheeler on a minor league deal. ... Free-agent right-hander Chaz Roe was suspended for 50 games under baseball’s minor league drug program after testing positive for an amphetamine. Roe was traded by Colorado to Seattle in December 2010 and went 0-7 with a 6.59 ERA in 10 starts and 23 relief appearances last year at Triple-A Tacoma.
