Yankees Release Statement After Tragic Death Of 35-Year-Old Ex Catcher

The baseball world is mourning the loss of former New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners catcher Jesús Montero, who has died at the age of 35. Montero passed away in his native Venezuela on Sunday following complications from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident several weeks ago. The former MLB player was struck by a truck while riding near the city of Valencia and had been hospitalized since the crash. Montero’s former teams and teammates have begun paying tribute across social media, with many remembering his raw talent, big heart, and early promise as one of the most highly touted prospects of his era.

The New York Yankees confirmed the heartbreaking news in a statement on Sunday, expressing their condolences to Montero’s loved ones. “The Yankees are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jesús Montero,” the team said. “We send our sincerest condolences to his family and loved ones.”

Tributes poured in within minutes of the Yankees’ official announcement, many reflecting on Montero’s early years as one of baseball’s most talked-about prospects. “Wow, so sad! I remember all of the hype when he was coming up. May he RIP,” one fan wrote. Another posted simply, “Too young.”

“That’s horrible! RIP!” another user added, echoing the heartbreak across timelines. One fan reminisced about the moment Montero first stepped onto the field in pinstripes, sharing, “I remember watching his debut with my grandpa.”

Born in Guacara, Venezuela, Montero signed with the Yankees in 2006 at just 16 years old. Scouts and analysts at the time projected him as one of the best power hitters in his free agent class, and he quickly became one of the organization’s most exciting young players. He spent four years in the Yankees’ minor league system before making his major league debut on September 1, 2011, against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

During his brief stint with the Yankees, Montero appeared in 18 regular-season games and one playoff game in the 2011 ALDS against the Detroit Tigers. That offseason, the Yankees traded Montero, along with pitching prospect Hector Noesi, to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for pitchers Michael Pineda and Jose Campos.

Montero played four seasons with Seattle, logging 208 games and 796 plate appearances. His early promise, however, was overshadowed by injuries and controversy. In 2013, he underwent surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee and was later suspended 50 games for his connection to the Biogenesis scandal, in which several players were linked to performance-enhancing drugs.

The following season, Montero’s struggles continued. He reported to spring training 40 pounds overweight and was later suspended for the rest of the 2014 season after an altercation with a team instructor. He returned to the majors briefly in 2015, but it would mark his final MLB season.

After being designated for assignment by Seattle, Montero was claimed by the Toronto Blue Jays, spending time in their farm system before joining the Baltimore Orioles’ minor league team in 2017. He later played professionally in Mexico and Venezuela, continuing his passion for the game despite the setbacks.

Across his MLB career, Montero posted a .253 batting average, 28 home runs, 104 RBIs, 204 hits, and 73 runs, numbers that reflected both his raw talent and the unfulfilled potential that once made him a top prospect in baseball.

The tributes reflect how deeply Montero’s brief, but memorable career impacted fans, not only for his potential on the diamond but also for the sense of excitement he brought to the sport during his rise. “He had so much talent,” another fan wrote. “I still remember that first home run. Gone way too soon.”

As the baseball world continues to mourn, Montero’s legacy as a beloved player with immense promise lives on through the memories of those who watched him chase his dream.

Rest in peace.