CINCINNATI - A 19-year-old Reds minor leaguer was killed and two teammates were injured in a car accident in the Dominican Republic Saturday morning, the club announced on Twitter.
Pitcher Jairo Capellan was killed and two other 19-year-olds were still in the hospital as of Sunday, according to the Reds. Pitcher Raul Hernandez is in "critical but stable" condition and outfielder Emilio Garcia is "receiving treatment but is alert and conscious," according to the Reds' Sunday update.
The two are being monitored by local doctors and the Reds medical staff.
Teammates, coaches and staff attended Capellan's funeral Sunday in Santo Domingo, the update said.
"We will continue communicating with our Dominican Republic medical staff and will provide updates as details become available," Reds President of Baseball Operations Dick Williams said. "We are thinking of and praying for the families."
Reds Chief Executive Officer Bob Castellini said Saturday: "We received this terrible news and send our condolences and support to the families, friends and teammates of Jairo, Raul and Emilio. Our Dominican operations are an integral part of the Reds organization, and this tragedy affects us all. We will remain closely involved to help everyone through this difficult time."
The Reds did not release any details about the accident.
All three players were born in Santo Domingo and played for the DSL Reds in the Rookie Dominican Summer League in 2018. It was the first pro season for Capellan and Garcia and the second for Hernandez.
Capellan had a 2-3 record and a 6.25 earned run average with 39 strikeouts in 31 2/3 innings.
"Jairo was a talented young pitcher with a bright future who was taken from us much too soon," said Joe Noboa, Reds Latin America field coordinator. "He will be missed by everyone who knew him - his teammates, coaches and our Dominican Academy staff."
Hernandez was 2-4 with a 2.29 earned run average and 77 strikeouts in 51 innings in his second year with the team.
Garcia played in 47 games and batted .205. He had no home runs and struck out 60 times in 171 at-bats.
Earlier, Williams said: “We are thinking of and praying for the players and their families, along with others who might have been involved in the accident.”
Two major league players were killed in car accidents in the Dominican Republic in recent years, according to Yahoo Sports. They were Kansas City Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura in 2017 and St. Louis Cardinals prospect Oscar Taveras in 2014.
