TRAGIC NEWS: Yankees Issue Emotional Statement Following the Tragic Death of Former Pitcher Octavio Dotel in Nightclub Collapse, Leaving Fans Speechless

The New York Yankees issued a statement following the tragic death of former relief pitcher Octavio Dotel.

Dotel, who played for 13 different teams throughout his career, including the Yankees, passed away after suffering injuries when a nightclub in the Dominican Republic collapsed early Tuesday morning. He was 51 years old.

“The Yankees mourn the passing of former Yankees pitcher Octavio Dotel and extend our deepest condolences to Octavio’s family, friends, and loved ones,” the team stated via X. “Our hearts are with all those impacted by the tragedy in the Dominican Republic 💙”

Dotel began his MLB journey with the New York Mets, who honored him with a moment of silence before their game on Tuesday.

The accident took place around 1 a.m. local time, though the cause remains unclear. Dotel was initially rescued from the debris alive but tragically passed away on his way to the hospital, according to a Dominican National Police spokesperson speaking to ESPN. Dotel’s MLB career spanned from 1999 to 2013, with five years spent with the Houston Astros and no more than two seasons with any other team. He briefly played for the Yankees in 2006, appearing in 14 games with a 10.80 ERA over 10 innings.

Former MLB first baseman Tony Blanco and Nelsy Cruz, the sister of former big leaguer Nelson Cruz, were also at the nightclub and are among the 66 confirmed dead, with an additional 160 injured.

“Major League Baseball is deeply saddened by the passings of Octavio Dotel, Tony Blanco, Nelsy Cruz, and all the victims of last night’s tragedy in Santo Domingo,” said MLB commissioner Rob Manfred. “We send our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of all those who have been affected, including our colleague Nelson and his entire family.

“The connection between baseball and the Dominican Republic runs deep, and we are thinking of all the Dominican players and fans across the game today.”

Russell Steinberg covers Major League Baseball and the New York Liberty for ClutchPoints. He has written for Boardroom, SLAM, SB Nation, The Next, and more. A lifelong baseball and basketball enthusiast, he graduated from NYU in 2012 and still serves as a PA announcer and occasional broadcaster for his alma mater’s basketball and volleyball teams.