ESPN Deportes is reporting that former major league pitcher, Jose Capellan has died Tuesday, of an apparent heart attack in his Philadelphia home. He was 34 years old.
According to the report, Capellan’s wife of 11 years, Patricia, said her husband was found deceased in his bed by her stepfather, Alejandro Almonte around 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
“Apparently it was a heart attack, [according to] the paramedics who responded to the emergency call,” Patricia Capellan said. “I was working when I received a call telling me that Jose was dead. I could not believe it. He was alone in the house. When I got home, the police were already there. They asked me if he used any other medication because there was indications that his heart could not resist anymore. Jose had no love problems or other problems, such as have been speculating on social networks. He didn’t drink alcohol, but had lost control in the use of sleeping pills.”
She went on to explain her husband’s recent struggles with Ambien, which is prescribed to treat sleeping disorders, but made sure to clear up and possible suicide rumors floating around:
“He had become addicted to this prescription drug, not just now but rather over the past five years,” she said. “He was even under treatment as part of Major League Baseball for the use of this medication. These problems were well-known by those of us who lived with him — myself, his mother and his brothers. My husband did not commit suicide, nor did he have financial or problems with other women. He didn’t have the same financial situation as he had before, but he was not having any kind of trouble.”
Jose Capellan played five seasons in the MLB for the Braves, Brewers, Tigers and Rockies from 2004-2008, going 5-7 with a 5.89 ERA in 99 total games.
He also played in Korea and the Dominican Republic Winter League with Gigantes del Cibao and Toros del Este. His last appearance in professional baseball was with Toros in the 2013-14 winter season.
[h/t ESPN Deportes]