Giants optioned 1B Angel Villalona to Triple-A Fresno.

Villalona was part of the Giants' first round of spring cuts on Thursday morning. The 23-year-old first baseman had 22 home runs and 70 RBI in 125 games last season between High-A San Jose and Double-A Richmond. He could reach the majors at some point in 2014 but isn't a great bet in redraft or dynasty leagues.

Giants optioned 1B Angel Villalona to High-A San Jose.

Villalona is back in the Giants' system after missing the last three seasons due to legal issues. The 22-year-old is obviously not close to being big league-ready.

Giants prospect first baseman Angel Villalona said Friday that he has lost 40 pounds.

Villalona is back with the Giants' after missing the past three seasons due to a murder charge in the Dominican Republic which was eventually dropped. The 22-year-old was at 290 pounds when his visa was rejected last year, but he's at 250 this spring. However, given that his stock was on the decline even before the murder charge, it's tough to take him seriously as a prospect at this point.

Angel Villalona has received his work visa and will be in big league camp this spring training with the Giants.

Villalona was on the restricted list in 2010 and 2011 and was unable to obtain a visa to enter the United States last year due to a murder charge. Now 22, Villalona batted .303/.430/.497 with seven home runs in 44 games last season playing in the Dominican Summer League. He played in High-A the last time he was in the states, so obviously he's not close to being big league-ready, despite being on the 40-man roster.

Giants minor leaguer Angel Villalona went 1-for-4 with a strikeout Thursday in the Dominican Summer League.

It was his first pro game in three years. Villalona, who turns 22 in August, hasn't stepped foot in the United States since he was charged with murder in his native Dominican Republic in September of 2009. He was eventually cleared of the charges and was added back to the Giants' 40-man roster late last year after settling a lawsuit with the team. It's not known when or if he'll get a travel visa to return to the United States, but his status as a top prospect began to fade even before the arrest.

The Giants placed 1B Angel Villalona on the restricted list.

His option to High-A San Jose was cancelled, as he's still awaiting his visa in the Domincan Republic. He will continue to work out at the team's complex.

Giants optioned 1B Angel Villalona to High-A San Jose.

Villalona was added back to the 40-man roster in November after being cleared of murder charges in his native Dominican Republic and settling a lawsuit with the Giants, but he is still having issues obtaining a work visa. The Giants have not provided a recent update on his status.

Angel Villalona's name plate has been removed from his spring training locker.

As Andrew Baggarly of Comcast SportsNet notes, it's a "pretty big clue that (Villalona's) visa situation is a mess." The 21-year-old corner infield prospect has been working out at the Giants' Dominican academy since December and will continue to do so until the visa issue is resolved. He's not remotely close to being big league-ready, anyway.

Angel Villalona is still attempting to be granted a work visa by the United States Consulate.

According to Hank Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle, Villalona is not being viewed as an "elite athlete" because of an ongoing medical condition, and is thus struggling to gain approval. The 21-year-old corner infield prospect has been working out at the Giants' Dominican academy since December and will continue to do so until he is cleared to travel to spring training.

Updating a previous item, final approval for Angel Villalona's U.S. work visa has not been granted.

The San Jose Mercury News reported on Friday afternoon that Villalona's U.S. work visa was approved, but it turns out it was only the first step in the process. While his application was approved by the immigration department, he still needs to go through consular interviews. The Giants remain hopeful that the former top prospect will be able to report to spring training with the rest of the hitters on February 24.

Giants vice president Bobby Evans said Wednesday that the club is still awaiting word on Angel Villalona's U.S. work visa.

Villalona was put back on the Giants' 40-man roster in November after murder charges in his his native Dominian Republic were dropped. While the 21-year-old will be in major league camp if he receives his visa, he hasn't played a professional game in over two years and his stock as a prospect was falling even before his legal troubles.

Giants purchased the contract of 1B Angel Villalona.

Well, here's a surprise. Villalona hasn't played professionally in two years after being charged with murder in his native Dominican Republic in September of 2009. He was eventually cleared of the charges due to lack of evidence and recently settled a lawsuit with the Giants which could allow him to resume his baseball career. However, because he is currently awaiting a work visa to enter the United States, his status is very much in limbo.

Angel Villalona has dropped a lawsuit against the Giants after they decided to reinstate him to their farm system.

Villalona, once regarded as one of the Giants' top prospects, was charged with murder in his native Dominican Republic in September of 2009. The 21-year-old recently sued the Giants for over $5 million in damages, alleging the team kept him on the inactive list even though he had been cleared of the charges. He is now expected to continue his baseball career, though he obviously has a lot to prove in order to be taken seriously as a prospect again.

According to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Giants are working to resolve a lawsuit with former prospect Angel Villalona.

Villalona, once heralded as one of the top 50 prospects in the game, was charged with murder in his native Dominican Republic in September of 2009. Charges were dismissed and the 21-year-old recently sued the Giants for over $5 million, alleging violation of contract. Villalona is expected to continue his career at the Giants' Dominican academy, so it sounds like the two sides came to a satisfactory agreement.