Miami Marlins pitcher José Fernández was killed early Sunday in boating accident and the game scheduled against the Atlanta Braves Sunday is canceled, officials said.
Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Braves scheduled at Marlins Park has been canceled, according to Major League Baseball.
The right-handed pitcher was 24.
Just five days ago, Fernández posted a picture of his girlfriend, Carla Mendoza, on Instagram, announcing that they would be having a baby together.
Fish and Wildlife Commission public information officer Lorenzo Veloz became emotional during a press conference held shortly before 11 a.m.
Veloz called Fernández’s death a tragic loss not only for Miami but also for the baseball community and “anyone who knew José.”
Fernández was selected by the Marlins as part of a Major League Baseball draft in 2011 and made his first appearance in 2013.
Fernández was one of three people not wearing life vests and killed when a 32-foot boat hit a jetty at full speed, crashing off Miami Beach, Veloz said.
"All of Baseball is shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Miami Marlins pitcher José Fernández, Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. said. "He was one of our game's great young stars who made a dramatic impact on and off the field since his debut in 2013. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, the Miami Marlins organization and all of the people he touched in his life."
Veloz said officials knew the boat and it regularly carried Marlins players. Fernández was always a passenger and never a driver, Veloz said.
“They definitely knew where they were going,” Veloz said, adding that the nature of the accident isn’t known.
“The boat is a total loss,” Veloz said. “It’s bad. There’s no other word for it; it’s bad.”
Officials do not suspect alcohol or drugs, Veloz said.
"The Miami Marlins organization is devastated by the tragic loss of José Fernández," the organization said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time."
The Atlanta Braves issues a statement echoing the Marlins’ official statement, sending “our deepest condolences to the family of Jose Fernandez and to the Miami Marlins organization.”
RELATED: Braves shocked, saddened by death of Marlins star Jose Fernandez
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