:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46358652/hector-olivera-matt-hall-guerrero-academy.0.0.jpg)
LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers made official their signing of Cuban defector Hector Olivera to a six-year contract on Tuesday, worth a reported $62.5 million. The club also announced he signing of right-handed pitcher Pablo Fernandez to a minor league deal, which included a reported $8 million bonus.
The 30-year-old infielder Olivera hit .323/.407/.505 in 10 seasons with Santiago in La Serie Nacional in Cuba, including .316/.412/.474 with seven home runs, 11 doubles and 38 walks in 73 games in 2013-2014.
Fernandez, 25, was 32-30 with 40 saves and a 3.59 ERA in seven seasons, all but a portion of one season with Holguin, with 244 strikeouts and 127 walks in 414 innings.
"We are excited to be adding two players to our organization that have consistently demonstrated their talent in Cuba as well as in international competition," said team president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. "We look forward to adding them to our organization and are confident they will be able to contribute to the Dodgers in the near future."
Olivera and Fernandez will reportedly first head to the Dodgers facility at Camelback Ranch in Arizona, where both will train before joining a minor league team.
Olivera told Jesse Sanchez he reports to Camelback Ranch this week, hopes for call-up to LA in 3-4 weeks, but will do whatever's asked.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) May 19, 2015
#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
There was some concern over a report of a possible ligament tear in his right elbow, but Olivera appears to be fine.
olivera elbow said to be fine, despite previous rumors. he'll go to arizona to get games in before joining #dodgers.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) May 19, 2015
To make room on the 40-man roster for Olivera, the Dodgers designated Eury De La Rosa for assignment. He was claimed off waivers from the Athletics on April 30, and given that at least 26 teams passed on him last time through he is reasonably likely to pass through waivers again.