Former Red Sox Star David Ortiz Hospitalized after Dominican Republic Club Shooting

“Boston Red Sox” legend David “Big Papi” Ortiz was shot and injured on Sunday at a club in the Dominican Republic, multiple reports confirm.

According to Daily Mail, the 43-year-old had to be hospitalized after getting shot at the Dial Bar and Lounge at around 8:50 pm on Sunday in his hometown of Santo Domingo.

Surveillance footage obtained by the outlet shows the shooter getting off a motorcycle and aiming at Ortiz who was dining with Dominican TV presenter Jhoel Lopez. Lopez was also shot in the leg.

CONFIRMATION FROM FAMILY

PEOPLE reports that Ortiz’s father, Leo Ortiz, confirmed the incident to ESPN:

“They called me to tell me that David [Ortiz] is injured and that they took him to a medical center, but they did not tell me how he is or exactly where he was transferred. At the moment, everything is confusing. I'm trying to find out where they took my son.”

Local media and Dominican police have also confirmed that the former baseball player was shot in the back by a bullet which came out through his stomach.

BIG PAPI'S PLEA

Ortiz, a three-time World Series champion, was rushed to the Abel Gonzalez clinic where he was taken into surgery, according to ESPN.

Before the surgery, Daily Mail reports that Ortiz told doctors:

“Please don't let me die, I'm a good man.”

CURRENT HEALTH CONDITION

The MLB legend, who now works as a Fox Sports analyst, has since come out of surgery but even though his media assistant Leo Lopez confirms that he’s stable, Ortiz remains in intensive care.

"Doctors say that David is out of danger, thank God," Leo Ortiz also disclosed to ESPN. "What they have told me post-op is that the doctors believe he will recover quickly."

“Big Papi will be around for a long time,” he added confidently.

THE SUSPECT HAS BEEN ARRESTED

Lopez’s wife, Liza Blanco, also took to Instagram to update fans on her husband’s condition, revealing that he was stable and in recovery, recounts HEAVY.

Meanwhile, the gunman has been identified as 25-year-old Eddy Feliz Garcia. He was reportedly beaten and held down by an angry crowd before the police arrived and took him into custody.

Since news broke of Ortiz’s shooting, well-wishers and colleagues of the baseball legend have trooped to social media with prayers and words of support.

KIND WORDS FROM LOVED ONES

Pedro Martinez, fellow Dominican native and former Red Sox player, tweeted:

“I’m at peace knowing you out of danger; you a strong man Compai, can’t wait to hear your voice. My thoughts and prayers are with you, see you soon.”

“Anxiously waiting for more news,” added retired Yankees player, Alex Rodriguez. “In the meantime, only prayers for @davidortiz, Tiffany, and their family.”

Ortiz is married to Tiffany, with whom he shares three children. The family resides in Miami and Ortiz also has a home in the Dominican Republic, but it’s not sure if they were with him in the Caribbean nation.

Ortiz ended his impressive 20-season career in 2016 after making 10 All-Star appearances.