The Seattle Times reported he was hit by a pickup truck while riding a motorcycle in Venezuela earlier this month.
VENEZUELA, — Former Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees catcher Jesús Montero has died. He was 35.
The Venezuelan native reportedly died in a crash two weeks ago, according to local media Líder en Deportes. The Seattle Times reported he was hit by a pickup truck while riding a motorcycle in Venezuela earlier this month.
The Associated Press reported he had been in critical condition since Oct. 4.
“The Yankees are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jesús Montero. We send our sincerest condolences to his family & loved ones,” the Yankees wrote on social media.
The Seattle Mariners published a similar statement Sunday.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of former Mariner Jesús Montero. Our hearts go out to his family, friends and loved ones,” they wrote on social media.
Montero debuted in the major leagues in 2011 when he was 21. He played 18 games with the Yankees before being traded to the Seattle Mariners as part of a four-player trade, which involved pitcher Michael Pineda. He played 208 games with the Mariners, ending in 2015.
In his brief major league career, he batted .253, hit 28 home runs and had 104 RBI.
“Venezuelan baseball sadly bids farewell to Jesús Montero … leaving behind a legacy of effort and passion for the game,” the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League said in a statement posted Sunday on X. “Today, baseball mourns his passing. But it also remembers him with gratitude: for every home run that thrilled the fans, for every day in which he proudly defended his country’s colors, and for every young person who saw in him an example that dreams can be achieved.”
Montero also played in the Venezuelan Winter League until the 2020-21 campaign, according to CBS Sports.
