TBNL: Two former players perish in D.R. roof collapse

A pair of former MLB players — pitcher Octavio Dotel and outfielder/third baseman Tony Blanco — are among the 79 dead and 160+ injured early Tuesday morning when the roof of a famed nightclub collapsed during a packed merengue concert in Santo Domingo, according to reports out of the Dominican Republic. 12 hours later, crews were still searching the rubble for survivors.

Early reports on social media (mainly thanks to former ESPN Insider Pedro Gomez) relayed that Dotel had been found alive among the rubble, but multiple Dominican outlets, including Diario Libre, since reported that Dotel passed away from his injuries en route to the hospital.

Dotel initially signed as an amateur international free agent with the Mets in 1993. He’d work his way through their minor league system as a starter before making his debut in June 1999.

The right-hander appeared with 13 different teams over his career, tied for the second-most all-time with Rich Hill and former Negro League pitcher Roosevelt Davis. Only Edwin Jackson has appeared with more.

Dotel appeared in more than 425 games and threw 630.2 IP over a 15-year career, working primarily as a late-inning reliever, posting a 3.64 ERA (123 ERA+) while saving 109 games with a 28.4 K% and 10.2 BB%. He’d pitch in the postseason with five different clubs, working to a 3.86 ERA over 23.1 IP, and was a part of the Cardinals’ 2011 World Series-winning roster.

He was 51 years old.

Blanco’s career was less-heralded. Initially signed as an international free agent by the Red Sox in 1998, Blanco was traded to the Reds (along with a second player) for Todd Walker in 2002. Washington would select Blanco from the Reds’ system in the minor league phase of the 2004 Rule 5 draft.

Blanco appeared in 56 games for the Nationals during the 2005 season, collecting 11 hits in 65 plate appearances (.177/.215/.274) with three doubles and a homer.

After three more seasons in the minor leagues, Blanco headed to Japan and played in the NPB for eight seasons. In just over 3,000 plate appearances, he’d hit .272/.351/.517 with 108 doubles and 181 home runs.

He was 43 years old.

Braves’ curious bullpen choices

Atlanta spent most of the offseason suggesting they had a limited budget to improve the club. The only substantial signing the team made was to bring in Jurickson Profar to handle left field on a three-year, $42M contract that already looks like a mistake after he was suspended for 80 games after failing a test for PEDs.

The Braves have struggled mightily to start the season. After Monday’s win against the Phillies the team sits at 2-8 through their first 10 games.

An inconsistent bullpen has been part of Atlanta’s issue early on, but the team has been seeking ways to address it. They traded for José Suarez at the close of spring training, signed Jesse Chavez when he was released from his deal with the Rangers, cut Chavez once they needed a fresh arm (knowing he wouldn’t go far), and re-signed him again to a minor league deal.

On Tuesday, they added another arm to their evolving bullpen by acquiring veteran reliever Rafael Montero from the Astros for a player to be named later. Houston will also send along an unreported sum of cash to help cover “most of” the $11.5M Montero is earning this year.

Montero is in the final season of a three-year contract the Astros signed him to immediately after the 2022 season. The right-hander had been a key piece of the Houston bullpen to that point, but the results imploded after. Between the 2023-24 seasons, he’d post a 4.94 ERA (84 ERA+) over 105.2 IP, struggling with walks (48 allowed) and home runs (19).

Houston designated Montero for assignment last July and he’d go unclaimed on waivers. Montero finished out the year at Triple-A and then came into camp with the team as a non-roster invitee. He’s made three appearances on the season so far, allowing a pair of runs over four innings (5 SO, 2 BB).

While the Braves likely aren’t taking on a lot of salary here, it’s still a curious move. For one, the team has arms in-house that could be called up to help stabilize the bullpen. That’s not to suggest that one of Domingo Gonzalez, Amos Willingham, Michael Peterson (also recently acquired from the Angels), or Rolddy Munoz would be worse options than Montero but the point is that they’re all equally wild cards here.

That’s not even considering an arm like Hurston Waldrep — who is likely a starter long-term but could be used in the bullpen in a pinch if needed.

Not to be forgotten, the Braves brought Craig Kimbrel back into the organization late in spring training. The veteran closer and potential future Hall of Famer has yet to report to a minor league affiliate (he’s still working at extended spring training with the delayed start to his camp) but should be an option for the team before long.

Trading for Montero (even considering the minimal cost) feels completely unnecessary for the Braves.

Elsewhere, around the sport …

• Mariners outfielder Victor Robles made a spectacular catch on Sunday, crashing into the net down the right field line in San Francisco. Robles was in obvious pain as soon as the catch happened and MRI results have revealed a dislocated and fractured shoulder. Robles reportedly could miss as much as 12 weeks.