MIAMI, Sept. 25 (UPI) — Miami Marlin’s 24-year-old ace pitcher, Jose Fernandez, was killed early Sunday in a boating accident.
The team confirmed his death in a statement. “The Miami Marlins organization is devastated by the tragic loss of Jose Fernández. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time.”
The team cancelled Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Braves.
ESPN reported that, according to multiple reports, police got a call of a possible boating accident about 3 a.m.
Law enforcement officials found a 30-foot boat that had crashed in to the rocks off Miami Beach and overturned. Three people, including the promising left-hander, were found dead and authorities were looking for survivors.
Fernandez, a star young pitcher who was initially scheduled to start in the Sunday game, had that start pushed back to Monday so Adam Conley, returning from the disabled list, could start.
A Cuban defecter, Fernandez played baseball at a Tampa high school before being drafted as the Marlin’s first-round pick in 2011, the Sun Sentinel reported.