Cuban infielder Hector Olivera one step closer to joining Dodgers

Cuban infielder Hector Olivera, who signed a six-year, $62.5 million contract with the Dodgers in March, is expected to join the team as soon as Friday, MLB.com reports.

Olivera, 30, is training in the Dominican Republic and received his visa to be in the United States on Monday. The Dodgers won his services after the Yankees, Braves, Marlins, Giants and Padres also expressed interest in him.

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The report says the timeline for Olivera's introduction via a news conference is still being worked out. After that, he'll begin working out at Camelback Ranch, the Dodgers' spring training facility in Glendale, Ariz.

MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez said teams were wowed by Olivera's talent and success in Cuba. He is known as a power hitter who could hit between 15 and 20 homers and drive in 75 runs consistently. There are also rumors of Olivera possibly needing Tommy John surgery, according to a report by Yahoo! Sports.

"This guy was a prolific power hitter, great average, great numbers, international star, World Baseball Classic veteran," Sanchez said. "He has a lot of things going for him.

"I think the thing is people question his age. He's had a history of blood clot disorders that he says has passed now. There were some physical issues that people questioned.

"I think you look at the level of commitment from the Dodgers, a team that has a long history on the international market, a long history of doing homework on players, he was worth the risk."


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