Nationwide — Former Major League Baseball pitcher Octavio Dotel has sadly died after being trapped in the rubble following the collapse of a nightclub roof in the Dominican Republic early Tuesday morning. Rescue crews are currently working to reach survivors, and Dotel was reportedly alive but passed away on his way to the hospital.
Dotel, 51, is a native of Santo Domingo and played 15 seasons in the MLB from 1999 to 2013. He began his professional career with the New York Mets before being traded to the Houston Astros, where he became one of the National League’s premier setup men.
In 2004, Dotel took over as the Astros’ closer before being involved in a major three-team trade that also included the Oakland A’s and Kansas City Royals, a deal highlighted by star outfielder Carlos Beltrán. That same year, Dotel tallied a career-high 36 saves while pitching for Oakland.
Dotel is remembered for his durability and longevity, having played for a record 13 different MLB teams, including the St. Louis Cardinals, with whom he won a World Series title in 2011. Fans and former teammates are anxiously awaiting updates as rescue efforts continue in Santo Domingo.