NATIONALS’ “MYSTERY PROSPECT” STUCK IN VISA HANGUP

Another player who has endured a long offseason is Washington Nationals prospect Carlos Alvarado Daniel Lugo, or “The Player Formerly Known as Esmailyn Gonzalez.” It was discovered before spring training that the 19-year-old Gonzalez, who hit .343 for the Nats’ rookie level team in the Gulf Coast League last year, is really the 23-year-old Lugo, who received a $1.4 million signing bonus from the Nats in 2006.


Now, Lugo is embroiled with work visa issues in his native Dominican Republic which are keeping him out of the Nationals’ Florida training camp. Lugo’s agent, Stanley King, says “it’s an immigration issue at this point.” Washington manager Manny Acta says, “Regardless of his age, if he can really play, he’ll be able to make it to the major leagues. He has to get on the field, play and compete at whatever level they have him play in.”