Former catcher Jesus Montero, who played parts of five MLB seasons with the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners, died at the age of 35, the Yankees confirmed on Sunday.
Montero, who made his debut with the Yankees in 2011 as a rising young prospect, was involved in an automobile accident in his native Venezuela, according to local reports.
He played in just 18 games with the Yankees in 2011 before being sent to the Mariners in a deal that brought right-hander Michael Pineda to New York.
‘The Mariners were saddened to learn today of the passing of former Mariners player Jesus Montero,’ the Mariners said in a statement. ‘Our hearts go out to his family, friends and loved ones.’
Montero, who played his last MLB game in 2015, finished his career as a .253 hitter with 28 home runs and 104 RBIs over 226 games. He notched career highs in homers (15) and RBIs (63) for the Mariners over 135 games in 2012, his only full season in the majors.