Cuban outfielder Toscano arrives in Florida
Braves, MLB working to establish residency for 26-year-old
MIAMI -- Dian Toscano has arrived in the United States and moved one step closer toward beginning his career with the Braves.
Toscano traveled from the Dominican Republic to Florida earlier this week. Now, the Braves and Major League Baseball are working to establish residency for the 26-year-old outfielder, who fled his native Cuba last year.
Once Toscano completes all of the remaining legal issues, he will likely spend some time at Atlanta's Spring Training complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., before joining Triple-A Gwinnett's roster.
The Braves and Toscano agreed to a four-year, $7.5 million deal in December. Once the deal was finalized in late January, the club hoped to get a better look at him during Spring Training. But legalities and visa issues prevented the outfielder from entering the United States until this week.
Because he did not participate in international events for the Cuban national team, Toscano was a relatively unknown player until he escaped Cuba and reached the Dominican Republic last year.
Toscano is a 5-foot-11, 200-pound left-handed hitter who has limited power potential. There is a chance he could serve as a backup outfielder in Atlanta at some point this season.