Baseball: Nationals prospect dies in motorcycle accident at 23

Nationals' Segura dies in accident

Washington Nationals pitching prospect Fausto Segura died Sunday in a motorcycle accident in the Dominican Republic. He was 23.

"The Washington Nationals are extremely saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Fausto Segura," the club said in a statement Monday. "He was beloved by his teammates, coaches, coordinators and everyone he came in contact with throughout our organization.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to Fausto's family, friends and loved ones in their time of grief."

Segura, a 6-foot-3 right-hander, signed a minor league contract with the Nationals in July 2017.

He was 2-0 with a 3.21 ERA in 17 relief appearances for Auburn in the Class-A New York-Penn League in 2019, striking out 33 batters and walking 21 in 28 innings.

Dominican baseball reporter Hector Gomez said the accident occurred Sunday night in Segura's hometown of Barahona, about 115 miles west of the capital Santo Domingo.

"Fausto Segura worked very hard every day to achieve his dream of reaching MLB and being able to help his family out of poverty," Gomez tweeted.