Former Mariners and Cubs pitcher Yoervis Medina has tragically passed away at the age of 37, Seattle confirmed.
The Venezuelan-born pitcher suffered a heart attack while driving, which reportedly caused a car crash in Naguanagua, Venezuela, according to local media. Reports indicate that Medina collided with several parked vehicles following the incident.
The Mariners, where Medina spent parts of three Major League seasons, shared a heartfelt statement on social media: “We are saddened to hear of the passing of former Mariners pitcher Yoervis Medina. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.”
The Everett AquaSox, Seattle’s High-A minor league affiliate, also paid tribute, writing, “Sad news coming out of Venezuela, former AquaSox pitcher Yoervis Medina (2010) has passed away at the age of 37. He pitched in the Major Leagues between 2013 and 2015. RIP.”
Medina signed with the Mariners as an amateur free agent in 2005 and spent seven years in the organization before making his MLB debut midway through the 2013 season. Over three seasons with Seattle, he posted a 2.82 ERA with 147 strikeouts across 141 appearances.
In 2015, Medina was traded to the Cubs in exchange for catcher Welington Castillo. He pitched in five games for Chicago while also spending time with their Triple-A affiliate. He later joined the Pirates but never returned to the majors, and his final stint in affiliated baseball came with the Phillies’ rookie squad in 2016.
Most recently, Medina continued his professional career internationally, playing in 2023 for Tecnograniti Senago in Italy.
Fans and former teammates alike have been mourning the sudden loss of a talented pitcher whose career spanned continents and touched many in the baseball community.