Oviedo has sprained UCL

The Marlins will not have the services of Juan Carlos Oviedo any time soon.

On Monday, the team announced the 30-year-old reliever has a sprained ulnar collaterial ligament in his right elbow. There is no timetable for his return.

Oviedo, formerly Leo Nunez, experienced tightness in his throwing elbow on Saturday night while appearing in a rehab game for Triple-A New Orleans. He returned to Miami, and on Monday was examined.

The right-hander’s eight-week suspension ends on July 22, and the team had been anticipating Oviedo being with the big league club on July 23. Now, it is unclear when he will be ready.

Oviedo was the Marlins closer from 2009-11, but in September of last year, he was placed on MLB’s restricted list due to issues over his identity. He returned to the Dominican Republic, where he spent months trying to resolve legal issues surrounding his playing with a false name.

Miami had hoped to have Oviedo in its bullpen later this month because he offers depth to either pitch in a setup role or fill in at closer.

– Joe Frisaro