Former Blue Jays reliever dies after roof collapse in Dominican nightclub

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Octavio Dotel, a well-travelled relief pitcher who played briefly for the Blue Jays in 2011, was among the victims who died when when a roof at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic collapsed early Tuesday.

Multiple reports confirm that Dotel was pulled from the rubble at the scene but later died from injuries sustained in the collapse.

Two other people with connections to Major League Baseball — former player Tony Blanco, and Nelsy Cruz, sister of long-time player Nelson Cruz — also died in the tragedy.

“Major League Baseball is deeply saddened by the passing 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 released Tuesday evening.

“We send our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of all those who have been affected. The connection between baseball and the Dominican Republic runs deep, and we are thinking of all the Dominican player and fans across the game today.”

Dotel won a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011 after being traded to the National League club by the Jays midway through the season. His time in Toronto was limited to 36 appearances with the Jays where he pitched 29.1 innings and earned one save.

The confirmed death toll in the tragic roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub — which came as singer Rubby Perez performed — had reached 58 by Tuesday evening, according to reports.

A Dominican National Police spokesman told reporters that Dotel died in a local hospital.

In a well-travelled career, Dotel played for 13 big-league teams during a 15-year career. He debuted with the New York Mets in 1999 and finished his career with the Detroit Tigers in 2013.

The Jays recognized the tragedy, offering condolences to his family and others affected with a post on X on Tuesday evening.

“We are saddened to learn that former Blue Jays pitcher Octavio Dotel was one of several individuals who passed away during a roof collapse in the Dominican Republic,” the post read. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families affected by this devastating tragedy.”

Dotel played for 13 MLB teams during his 15-year major league career. He made his debut with the New York Mets and last appeared in a game with the Detroit Tigers in 2013. Dotel finished his MLB career with 109 saves. He was traded to the Cards in a deal on July 27, 2011 that in part returned Colby Rasmus to the Jays before winning the World Series in St. Louis later that fall.