A horrific tragedy struck the Major League Baseball world this weekend.
Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez died early Sunday morning in boating accident off the coast of Miami Beach, the team confirmed.
Fernandez reportedly was one of three people killed in the accident, which occurred when a 30-foot boat crashed into rocks just off the coast, according to reports. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue received a call about the incident at approximately 3 a.m. ET.
Fernandez, who turned 24 in July, was one of baseball’s brightest stars. After he defected from Cuba in 2007, Fernandez was drafted by the Marlins in 2011 and made his MLB debut in 2013. He pitched brilliantly during the 2013 campaign, posting a 12-6 record and 2.19 ERA en route to winning the National League Rookie of the Year award.
The young right-hander dealt with injuries in 2014 and 2015, but he bounced back this year and was in the midst of an excellent season for Miami. He was scheduled to pitch Monday.
The Marlins canceled their Sunday game against the Atlanta Braves and released a statement addressing the shocking news.
Thumbnail photo via Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports Images
