Tragedy has struck the baseball world again. Former Los Angeles Angels infielder Luis Valbuena and former Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Jose Castillo were killed in a car accident in Venezuela on Thursday.
Former LA Angels infielder Luis Valbuena was killed in a car accident with former Pirates 2B Jose Castillo.
— Marcos Grunfeld 🇮🇱 / Sígueme en YouTube (@TheBeatwriter) December 7, 2018
Valbuena and Castillo were reportedly playing together for Lara Cardinales in the Venezuelan Winter League.
According to the report, Valbuena and Castillo were passengers in a car that collided with a rock that rolled onto the road. Former player Carlos Rivero, who was playing with them for Lara Cardinales, survived the crash.
Per this report, Luis Valbuena and José Castillo’s car collided with a rock that rolled onto the road. The car was being driven by the driver for former D-Backs player and winter ball teammate Carlos Rivero. https://t.co/l9oKtbAybP
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) December 7, 2018
The 33-year-old Valbuena spent 11 years in the majors. His career started in 2008 with the Seattle Mariners, he then spent three seasons each with the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs. His best season came in 2015 with the Houston Astros when he hit 25 home runs in 132 games.
Valbuena last played for the Angels this season before he was released in August. In his 11-year career, Valbuena hit 114 home runs with 367 RBI and 169 doubles.
Castillo, 37, spent five seasons in the majors. He played for the Pirates for four seasons and split time in 2008 with the San Francisco Giants and Astros. During his time with the Giants, he turned a triple play.
Our condolences go out to Valbuena and Castillo’s families.