Dodgers News: Hector Olivera Passes Physical, Deal Finalized
The Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a deal with Cuban infielder Hector Olivera back in March, but had yet to see him in the United States to finalize the deal.
Olivera was stuck in the Dominican Republic due to issues with his visa, and still had yet to sign his contract with the team. The 30-year-old was set to reach the U.S. recently and was a physical away from being a Dodgers.
According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the deal is now official after Olivera passed his physical:
It’s official: Hector Olivera passed his physical and will now begin his contract with the #Dodgers.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 19, 2015
Rosenthal went on to lay out the plan for the infielder that signed a six-year deal worth $62.5 million:
#Dodgers’ Olivera flying to Arizona today. Will spend a few weeks at team’s training facility in Glendale, then join a minor-league club.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 19, 2015
Olivera is not expected to be ready for the big leagues until at least the All-Star break, barring any injuries to the Dodgers. He can play third or second base, but it would appear the Dodgers work him at third. With Juan Uribe in the last year of his deal, Olivera could slot in as the team’s everyday third baseman in 2016, possibly 2015 depending how he fares.
The biggest question when signing Olivera came from reports that he would need Tommy John surgery; however, he said he would not require surgery as the tear in his UCL wouldn’t bother him. If the case is that he does need surgery, the Dodgers have a clause in his deal that gives them another year for just $1 million.
Uribe, Alex Guerrero and Justin Turner have manned third base thus far this season, so it will be interesting to see what happens if Olivera progresses as believed.
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