Former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel has passed away after a nightclub roof collapsed in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on Tuesday morning.
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The catastrophe occurred around 1 am, during a merengue icon Rubby Pérez concert, which had many athletes and notable politicians attending the Jet Set nightclub venue.
And while the cause of the collapse is not known at this time, there was a 2023 lightning strike on the building that caused a fire and was said to have affected the facilities, according to local reports.
Dotel's brother, Angel, told El Nuevo Diario newspaper that Octavio died prior to being pulled from underneath the debris.
Per Dominican civil defense, there were at least 100 people who had been killed (death toll rising), that included Dotel and former MLB player Tony Blanco, 43. And among the 160+ injured was Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northwestern province of Monte Cristi and sister of 7x MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz.
Reportedly, Nelsy Cruz had called President Luis Abinader at 12:49 a.m. saying that she was trapped and that the roof had collapsed, and unfortunately Cruz lost her life after being transported to a hospital.
President Abinader noted the hard work of the rescue workers attempting to save the lives of survivors.
"We have faith in God that we will rescue even more people alive," Abinader told the media outlets.
Commissioner Rob Manfred released a statement:
"Major League Baseball is deeply saddened by the passings of Octavio Dotel, Tony Blanco, Nelsy Cruz, and all the victims of last night's tragedy in Santo Domingo. We send our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of all those who have been affected and to our colleague Nelson and his entire family. The connection between baseball and the Dominican Republic runs deep, and we are thinking of all the Dominican players and fans across the game today."
In 1999, Dotel started his Major League career with the New York Mets, and he went on to win the 2011 World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals.
We mourn the passing of Octavio Dotel.
Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragedy in the Dominican Republic. pic.twitter.com/UZk88QiBoA
— New York Mets (@Mets) April 8, 2025
Throughout his 15-year career, playing for 13 different teams, Dotel accumulated a 3.78 ERA and 1.24 WHIP, to go with 109 saves and 1,143 strikeouts in 951 innings.
Related: Former Baltimore Orioles Pitcher Brian Matusz Passes Away At 37 Years Old
