Former MLB pitcher Odalis Pérez dead at 44 after accident at his home in Dominican Republic
Pérez spent parts of 10 seasons in the majors
Odalis Pérez, a left-handed pitcher who spent parts of 10 MLB seasons with the Braves, Dodgers, Royals, and Nationals, has died at the age of 44 after an accident at his home in the Dominican Republic.
Pérez's attorney confirmed the former pitcher's death to ESPN on Thursday. "Around 7 p.m., his brother Cristian Perez arrived at the house and found Odalis lying in the patio," Walin Batista told ESPN's Enrique Rojas. "We don't know yet the cause of his death, but everything seems to indicate Odalis slipped down a ladder. This is a tragedy."
The Dodgers and Nationals acknowledged Pérez's death on social media:
The Los Angeles Dodgers mourn the passing of former pitcher and 2002 All-Star Odalis Pérez. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/abX1cgUNNP
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 11, 2022
Odalis Pérez was our starting pitcher at our 1st game in Nats Park history.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) March 11, 2022
Our hearts go out to his family and friends. May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/r9Y8eJGwv5
Pérez debuted with the Braves in 1998, and in his first season with the Dodgers in 2002 he won 15 games and made the All-Star team. Across his 10 seasons in the majors, Pérez went 73-82 with a 4.46 ERA in 221 starts and 31 relief appearances. Pérez appeared in the postseason with the Braves in 1998 and Dodgers in 2004. He last pitched in the majors with Washington in 2008.
