MLB declares Cuban pitcher Gonzalez a free agent

Cuban pitcher Miguel Alberto Gonzalez has been granted free agency by Major League Baseball, agent Jaime Torres said Saturday.

Gonzalez, a Cuban defector, has yet to receive clearance from the U.S. Treasury Department. Torres said he hopes that clearance will come this week. Until then, Torres said, MLB has instructed teams not to negotiate with Gonzalez.

The Dodgers were among the teams that scouted Gonzalez during a showcase in Tijuana on Thursday.

Gonzalez is scheduled to make another showcase appearance next Friday in Tijuana.