The Major League Baseball community was delivered some sad news Friday morning, as free agent infielder Luis Valbuena and former major league infielder Jose Castillo died in a car accident in their native country of Venezuela after taking part in a winter league game Thursday night.
Details via OC Register:
The accident reportedly occurred when their car collided with a rock that rolled on to the road in the state of Yarucuy, in Valbuena’s native Venezuela.
According to reports, the car was being driven by the driver for former Arizona Diamondbacks player and winter ball teammate Carlos Rivero, both of whom survived.
— MLB (@MLB) December 7, 2018
Valbuena, 33, just finished a two-year deal with the Angels and finished a Major League career hitting .226/.310/.394 with 169 doubles and 114 home runs in 1,011 total games, including a 2015 campaign with Houston when he hit 25 dingers. He played infielder for the Mariners, Indians, Cubs, Astros and Angels.
— Tom Martin (@TomKCTV5) December 7, 2018
— Houston Astros Orbit (@OrbitAstros) December 7, 2018
Castillo, 37, played in parts of five seasons in the Majors from 2004-08, posting career stats of .256/.297/.380 with 103 doubles, 39 homers and 13 steals in 592 games. He played mostly second base and third base for the Pittsburgh Pirates San Francisco Giants and the Houston Astros.
— Angels (@Angels) December 7, 2018
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/yKw7soe8Ic
— Pirates (@Pirates) December 7, 2018
— PGH Sports History (@PGH_Sports_Date) December 7, 2018
— Jeremy Frank (@MLBRandomStats) December 7, 2018
RIP.
[h/t CBS Sports]
