Rafael Soriano News: When Will Nationals Pitcher Arrive To Camp?

A spokesman for the Washington Nationals confirmed to the Washington Post that recently signed relief pitcher Rafael Soriano has a visa issue and will arrive “soon” to camp, but the team isn’t certain when exactly.

The schedule is “day-to-day,” the spokesman said.

Manager Davey Johnson brushed aside Soriano’s delay.

“I’m not worried about him because he’s a veteran player who knows what he needs to do to get ready,” Johnson said. “He’s got good weather down there. I’m sure he’s not just sitting watching TV. That’s the least of my worries.”

Soriano hasn’t arrived at Nationals spring training because of a visa issue and said earlier Thursday that he hopes to report by the end of the week, according to a person close to him. The Dominican Republic, Soriano’s homeland, has yet to verify information related to his visa. He received a five-year visa when he signed with the New York Yankees prior to the 2011 season, but the transfer of that paperwork to the Nationals has lent been completed.

Soriano reached a two-year, $28 million contract with the Nationals midway through last month, making Soriano the highest-paid reliever in baseball during the 2013 season. The contract also includes a $14 million vesting option for 2015 if Soriano finished 120 games combined over the 2013 and 2014 seasons.