CINCINNATI -- The Reds learned that three of their Minor League players were involved in a serious car accident on Saturday in the Dominican Republic, with one losing his life in the tragedy.
Right-handed pitcher Jairo Capellan, who was 19, was killed in the wreck while right-handed pitcher Raul Hernandez and outfielder Emilio Garcia were hospitalized locally. According to an update from the Reds on Sunday, Hernandez is in critical but stable condition. Garcia is still in the hospital receiving treatment for his injuries, but he is alert and conscious.
Both players are being monitored by local doctors and Reds medical staff.
Hernandez and Garcia are 19, as was Capellan.
"We will continue communicating with our Dominican Republic medical staff and will provide updates as details become available," Reds president of baseball operations Dick Williams said in a statement. "We are thinking of and praying for the players and their families."
Reds players, coaches and staff attended a funeral service for Capellan on Sunday afternoon in Santo Domingo.
"We received this terrible news and send our condolences and support to the families, friends and teammates of Jairo, Raul and Emilio," Reds CEO Bob Castellini said in a statement. "Our Dominican operations are an integral part of the Reds organization, and this tragedy affects us all. We will remain closely involved to help everyone through this difficult time."
The details on the cause of the accident, which occurred in Boca Chica, were not immediately revealed.
Capellan and Garcia just played his first professional season in 2018 with the Reds' Dominican Summer League team while Hernandez finished his second season with the same affiliate.
"Jairo was a talented young pitcher with a bright future who was taken from us much too soon," Reds Latin America field coordinator Joel Noboa said in a statement. "He will be missed by everyone who knew him -- his teammates, coaches and our Dominican Academy staff."