He might still be able to play elsewhere, but Alfredo Despaigne is no longer welcome to play in the Mexican League.
The Cuban-born outfielder has been suspended for life by the Mexican Baseball League for using a false Dominican passport, according to Baseball America. Despaigne has been inactive since last month, when he was suspended for having fake paperwork.
The Dominican government reviewed the situation, then Despaigne was banned for life once they, too, deemed the paperwork faulty.
The Mexican League is an associate member of minor league baseball, but is considered an independent league. Therefore, the MLB honors the contractual rights of the league but does not abide by the league’s suspensions, making Despaigne eligible to play in the MLB in the future.
The 27-year-old played for the Campeche Pirates where he hit .346/.407/.603 in 20 games. During the 2013-14 Cuban season, Despaigne hit .311 in 254 plate appearances.
Photo via Twitter/@actualidaddo
