Reyes Moronta, former Dodgers and Angels pitcher, dies in vehicle crash

Reyes Moronta, a standout pitcher for the San Francisco Giants who also played for the Dodgers and Angels throughout his career, passed away on Sunday. He was a former major league relief pitcher. His age was 31.

According to reports, Moronta passed away in a car accident in the Dominican Republic, where he was born. In separate social media posts on Sunday night, the Mexican Baseball League and Bravos de León, one of Moronta’s previous teams in the league, announced his passing.

Moronta also participated in the Dominican Republic winter league for a number of seasons. On Monday morning, Gigantes del Cibao and Estrellas Orientales, two of his previous teams, paid tribute to him on Instagram. A homage was also posted by the Águilas Cibaeñas, who had apparently signed Moronta for the forthcoming winter season.

Moronta, who was born in Santiago de los Caballeros, signed a contract with the Giants organisation in 2010 at the age of 17. After making his major league debut in 2017, the 5-foot-10, 265-pound right-hander went on to become a top reliever for the Giants the next two seasons.

With a 2.49 earned-run average, 5-2 record, and one save in 69 games played in the 2018 season, Moronta was a fixture in 56 games in the 2019 season, where he finished with a 3-7 record and 2.86 ERA. Following shoulder surgery, he missed the entire 2020 season and pitched in just four games for the Giants in 2021.

Before being designated for assignment in August of the following season, Moronta had a 4.18 ERA in 22 games pitched for the Dodgers. Following his waiver claim by the Arizona Diamondbacks, Moronta made 17 appearances, recorded a 2-2 record, two saves, and a 4.50 ERA.

The next spring, he signed with the Angels, and in his two appearances, he had a 6.75 ERA. Before being released on Thursday, Moronta appeared in 19 games this season with the Bravos de León, recording a 2-4 record with four saves and an 8.69 ERA.