Reds minor leaguer killed, two others injured in car accident in Dominican Republic
Three Cincinnati Reds minor league players were involved in a serious car accident in the Dominican Republic on Saturday morning that left one dead and another in critical condition, the team announced Saturday afternoon.
Pitcher Jairo Capellan has died from the accident. He was 19. Pitcher Raul Hernandez is currently in critical condition at a local hospital and outfielder Emilio Garcia is in stable condition, according to the release.
“We received this terrible news and send our condolences and support to the families, friends and teammates of Jairo, Raul and Emilio,” Reds CEO Bob Castellini said in a statement. “Our Dominican operations are an integral part of the Reds organization, and this tragedy affects us all. We will remain closely involved to help everyone through this difficult time.”
Reds Statement pic.twitter.com/3LXwNkkx4U
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) November 3, 2018
Capellan — who was from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic — had a 2-3 record with the Reds Dominican Summer League team last year and held a 6.25 ERA. He played in 18 total games.
“Jairo was a talented young pitcher with a bright future who was taken from us much too soon,” Reds Latin America field coordinator Joe Noboa said. “He will be missed by everyone who knew him — his teammates, coaches and our Dominican Academy staff.”
Hernandez recorded a 2-4 record with the team last season, his second with the team, and had a 2.29 ERA in 14 games. Garcia had 35 hits in 171 at bats for the team last season, recording 18 runs and 11 RBI.
The three are the latest MLB players to be involved in a car accident in the Dominican Republic in recent years. Kansas City Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura died after a car accident there in 2017. St. Louis Cardinals prospect Oscar Taveras was killed in a car accident there in 2014, too.
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