The Bravos de Leon of the Mexican League confirmed the death of pitcher Reyes Moronta, 31, who was active in Major League Baseball until last year when he died in a traffic accident in the Dominican Republic while driving a four-wheeler. Moronta had a successful career as a reliever, playing for the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Los Angeles Angels, and had signed with Águilas Cibaeñas of the Dominican League for the upcoming winter season. He was known for his hard-throwing fastball/slider pitches and ability to limit damaging contact and strike out batters in high-leverage situations.
Moronta had a strong start in the Major Leagues, quickly establishing himself as a dominant arm with the Giants. However, his career was plagued by injuries, including a torn labrum in his shoulder that required surgery in 2019 and an elbow sprain in 2021 that limited his playing time. Despite these setbacks, Moronta continued to work his way back onto the field and signed with the Dodgers in 2022, followed by stints with the Diamondbacks and Angels. His final season in the Majors saw him make appearances with the Angels and their Triple-A affiliate, before signing with the Bravos de León in Mexico.
The news of Moronta’s death was first reported by Mike Rodriguez on Twitter, with Hector Gomez later confirming that he died in a four-wheeler accident while driving home in the Dominican Republic. The accident occurred in the Quinigua neighborhood of the Santiago province, in front of his father’s house. The tragic event comes just as Father’s Day was observed in the Dominican Republic, adding to the sorrow felt by Moronta’s family, friends, and fans. The Bravos de León expressed their deep sadness over Moronta’s passing and sent their condolences to his loved ones, hoping they find solace in this difficult time.
The baseball community mourns the loss of Reyes Moronta, remembering his talent and contributions to the sport. Moronta’s stint in the Majors will be remembered for his strong performances and dedication to the game, despite facing challenges along the way. His legacy lives on through his achievements on the field and the impact he had on those who knew him. As the baseball world reflects on Moronta’s career and the unfortunate circumstances of his passing, they honor his memory and the passion he had for the game.
