Reyes Moronta dies at 31: Former Major League Baseball pitcher killed in motorcycle crash

SANTIAGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Reyes Moronta, a former Major League Baseball pitcher known for his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants, tragically passed away at the age of 31.

Multiple sources, including ESPN and Sports Illustrated, confirmed that Moronta died in a motorcycle accident on Sunday, July 28.

The incident reportedly occurred in the Santiago province of the Dominican Republic, in front of his father's home, as noted by Dominican news outlet El Pregonero.

Reyes Moronta killed in motorcycle accident in Dominican Republic

The news of Reyes Moronta's untimely death sent shockwaves through the baseball community. The Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) and Liga Mexicana de Beisbol, where Moronta had most recently played, expressed their condolences on X (formerly known as Twitter).

"The player community was shocked and saddened to learn of Reyes Moronta’s death in a traffic accident Sunday. We send our heartfelt sympathies to his family and friends in his native Dominican Republic and throughout the game," the MLBPA stated.

The Mexican Baseball League echoed these sentiments, posting, "The Mexican Baseball League deeply regrets the death of former player Reyes Moronta. We join in the grief that overwhelms his family, friends, and former colleagues."

Reyes Moronta began his Major Leagues journey with San Francisco Giants

Born in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, in 1993, Reyes Moronta's journey to the Major Leagues began when he signed with the San Francisco Giants as an international free agent at just 17 years old in 2010.

Moronta made his MLB debut in 2017, quickly establishing himself as a top reliever. Over the course of his career, he played in 136 games for the Giants between 2017 and 2021.

Unfortunately, his career was interrupted by shoulder surgery in 2019, causing him to miss the entire 2020 season. Despite these setbacks, he returned to play four games in 2021.

In March 2022, Moronta joined the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he appeared in 22 games. His stint with the Dodgers was followed by a brief period with the Los Angeles Angels, where he played in two games during the 2023 season.

Most recently, Moronta signed with Bravos de Leon of the Mexican league. However, on July 25, just days before his tragic accident, the team released him.

The San Francisco Giants paid tribute to Moronta on X, stating, "Moronta appeared in 136 games with the Giants between 2017 and 2021. His warm spirit will be missed by all, and our thoughts are with his friends and family at this difficult time."

Reyes Moronta's death prompts outpouring of condolences online

The news of Reyes Moronta's death led to an outpouring of grief and condolences from fans on social media.

One X user poignantly wrote, "Always be a forever Giant. RIP," while another reflected, "RIP you are playing in the field of dreams now." "REST IN POWER, GREAT ONE," one user wrote. Another user commented, "So young—Rest In Peace."

Further tributes continued to pour in, with one fan stating, "May his memory be a blessing!" Another wrote, "Wow. That’s very young. RIP Reyes. Thoughts to his friends and family."

The sentiment of sorrow was shared widely, as another user remarked, "Very sad, prayers to the Moronta family." Lastly, a poignant comment summed up the collective heartbreak felt by many: "Tragic and heartbreaking. RIP."

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