Rafael Soriano absent from Nationals training camp

Rafael Soriano has not reported to the Nationals camp. (Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

The Washington Nationals signed Rafael Soriano to a two-year, $28 million contract in January but the pitcher has not reported to training camp and team officials are remaining mum on the reason for his absence.

The official day to report was Tuesday, with pitchers and catchers scheduled to have taken their physical's on Wednesday. But as of Thursday morning, Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post reported that Soriano, 33, has not been seen and was not at the team meeting Thursday morning before the Nationals begin their first organized workout. Kilgore also reported that "the team-issued contents of his locker, it seemed, remained untouched."

Team officials have given no explanation for his whereabouts or the reason for his absence from the Nationals organization. But Jon Morosi, MLB writer for FOXSports.com, tweeted Thursday morning that his absence is tied to visa issues and that his agent, Scott Boras, said that Soriano, who was born in the Dominican Republic, will be with the Nats "soon."

As Mariano Rivera’s replacement last year with the New York Yankees, Soriano recorded 42 games with an ERA of 2.26. Over his career, he has a 2.78 ERA with 9.4 strikeouts per nine innings.