Braves left fielder Hector Olivera’s winter-ball season ended sooner than expected when he was released Sunday by his Caguas team in Puerto Rico.
One person familiar with the situation said Olivera was released after returning a day late from a visit to Miami to see his gravely ill sister, who needs a kidney transplant.
» Read more of Braves' reaction and plan for Olivera on myAJC
However, someone who discussed the situation with Caguas manager Alex Cora said the decision was more a mutual one between Cora and Olivera, who has struggled lately and shown signs of mental fatigue while worrying about his sister, and that both agreed it was best for him to go home to Miami and be with family.
Caguas officials didn’t provide details or a reason at the time of his release Sunday and Cora replied “no” without elaborating whether Olivera was called back by the Braves.
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