CARACAS — Former MLB catcher Jesús Montero died at age 35 following a motorcycle crash in Venezuela, authorities confirmed Sunday.
Montero’s motorcycle collided with a truck on Oct. 4, resulting in critical injuries. He had been hospitalized since the accident but did not recover, officials said.
The Venezuelan Professional Baseball League issued a statement expressing sorrow over Montero’s passing and honoring his contributions to the sport.
Fans across Venezuela have shared tributes on social media in response to the news.
Montero played briefly for the New York Yankees in 2011 and had a longer stint with the Seattle Mariners, totaling 226 MLB games. He recorded a career batting average of .253, with 28 home runs and 104 RBIs.
His career also included two suspensions for violating anti-doping regulations, the first in 2013 and the second in 2016 while with the Toronto Blue Jays’ minor league system.
Montero was active in the Venezuelan Winter League, playing for teams such as Navegantes del Magallanes and Águilas del Zulia before retiring after the 2020-21 season.