Royals Pitcher Yordano Ventura, 25, Killed In Car Crash In Dominican Republic; MLB Tributes Pour In

Yordano Ventura, a Kansas City Royals pitcher who helped lead his team to win two pennants and a World Series, died late Saturday in a car crash in his native Dominican Republic, the team announced Sunday. He was 25.

Royals Pitcher Yordano Ventura, 25, Killed In Car Crash In Dominican Republic; MLB Tributes Pour In

Another Dominican player, former major leaguer Andy Marte, 33, was killed Sunday in a separate wreck in the Carribbean country, MLB.com reported. Marte was an infielder who played with the Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians and Arizona Diamondbacks. He played the last two seasons with KT Wiz in South Korea, MLB.com reported.

Ventura played in the 2014 and 2015 World Series, the latter of which the Royals won. He was drafted by the franchise in 2013, had a 38-31 career pitching record, and started in nine postseason games.

Reports from the Dominican Republic stated the crash occurred on a highway in Rancho Arriba, town in the province of San Jose de Ocoa, according to an article by mlb.com on the Royals official website.

Ventura’s hometown is Las Terrenas, where the funeral services are expected to be held, the article said.

“Our prayers right now are with Yordano’s family as we mourn this young man’s passing,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said in the statement. “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.”

Ventura and Marte’s deaths come four months after another MLB player suffered a tragic accident that also claimed his life. Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez, 24, and two friends were killed on September 25 when their boat crashed off Miami Beach.

Tributes for Ventura and Marte from MLB players and organizations poured in on Sunday. Recently retired Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, another Dominican, tweeted: “I have not words to describe this….R.I.O my boy”

Ventura quit school as a teenager so he could work in construction in order to help provide for his family.

Coincidentally, Marte played his final game in the major leagues for Arizona on Aug. 6, 2014. Ventura started that game for Kansas City.

KANSAS CITY, MO – SEPTEMBER 14: Yordano Ventura #30 of the Kansas City Royals pitches in the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at Kauffman Stadium on September 14, 2016 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)