Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura dies in car accident

According to reports from multiple outlets, Kansas City Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura died in a car accident in the Dominican Republic this weekend. The 25-year-old righthander made 94 appearances for the Royals in four major league seasons, and compiled a 3.89 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in 547 ²⁄₃ career innings. He finished sixth in the 2014 AL Rookie of the Year voting, and was one of the key cogs of the Royals teams that won the 2014 AL pennant and 2015 World Series.

In a separate accident, former major leaguer Andy Marte also passed away. Marte, 33, hit .218/.276/.358 in 308 career games across seven major league seasons. Once one of the top-rated prospects in baseball, Marte made his major league debut in 2005. He played for the Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, and Arizona Diamondbacks before playing his final major league game in 2014. He also spent time with the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Los Angeles Angels.

The Royals confirmed Ventura’s death on Sunday morning.

“Our prayers right now are with Yordano’s family as we mourn this young man’s passing,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said in a release from the club. “He was so young and so talented, full of youthful exuberance and always brought a smile to everyone he interacted with. We will get through this as an organization, but right now is a time to mourn and celebrate the life of Yordano.”