Octavio Dotel, a longtime MLB relief pitcher who played for both the Mets and Yankees, has died after the roof at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic collapsed on him in a tragedy that killed at least 66 people on Tuesday.
He was 51.
Initial reports stated Dotel was pulled alive from the Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican capital of Santo Domingo, but he died while being transported to a hospital, according to MLB reporter Hector Gomez.
The head of the emergency operations center, Gen. Juan Manuel Mendez, confirmed the details of Dotel’s death to Noticias SIN.
Dotel was at the nightclub with former Nationals infielder Tony Blanco, 43, who was also killed in the tragedy.
Octavio Dotel pitching for the Mets in 1999. Getty Images
The cause of the roof collapse is unclear.
Nelsy Cruz, sister of former MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz, was also killed in the collapse.
“Major League Baseball is deeply saddened by the passings of Octavio Dotel, Tony Blanco, Nelsy Cruz, and all the victims of last night’s tragedy in Santo Domingo,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “We send our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of all those who have been affected and to our colleague Nelson and his entire family. The connection between baseball and the Dominican Republic runs deep, and we are thinking of all the Dominican players and fans across the game today.”
The nightclub was hosting an event at which popular merengue singer, Rubby Pérez, was performing when the tragic incident occurred.
Octavio Dotel pitching for the Yankees in 2006. Getty ImagesA former Mets prospect who made his MLB debut with the club in 1999, Dotel pitched for 13 different teams across 15 seasons and was part of the 2011 Cardinals team that won the World Series.
Traded by the Mets to the Astros after the ’99 season in the Mike Hampton deal, Dotel spent the next four-plus seasons in Houston before he was traded to the Athletics during the 2004 season.
The right-hander signed with the Yankees in 2006, pitching to a 10.80 ERA in 14 appearances.
Rescue workers search for survivors at the Jet Set nightclub after its roof collapsed during a merengue concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. APHe later pitched for the Royals, Braves, White Sox, Pirates, Dodgers, Rockies, Blue Jays and Tigers.
Dotel had a career 3.78 ERA with 109 saves and 1,143 strikeouts in 951 innings.
Blanco played 56 games with the Nationals in 2005, their first season in Washington, D.C.
“We deeply regret the passing of former Major League Baseball player Tony Blanco,” the Dominican Republic Ministry of Sports and Recreation wrote on X. “His legacy will live on in the history of national baseball. We share in their grief with their family, friends, and colleagues, and we offer our prayers for their eternal rest. Peace to his soul.”
