Ex-MLB players Octavio Dotel, Tony Blanco among dead in Dominican Republic roof collapse

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Octavio Dotel, a World Series champion pitcher, and former major league Tony Blanco were among those who died following the collapse of a roof at a Dominican Republic nightclub, officials said Tuesday.

Dotel was a native of Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic's capital city, and was inside the Jet Set nightclub early Tuesday when the roof fell as singer Rubby Pérez performed on stage. 

Officials had rescued Dotel from the debris earlier and brought him to a hospital. But the World Series champion later succumbed to his injuries. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and Professional Baseball League spokesman Satosky Terrero also confirmed the death of Dominican baseball player Tony Blanco.

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Former MLB reliever Octavio Dotel was among killed in a devastating roof collapse at a Dominican Republic nightclub. (AP)

Blanco played one season in the majors with the Washington Nationals in 2005. He played most of his career in the minors and in Japan.

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Rescue workers search for survivors at the Jet Set nightclub after its roof collapsed during a concert in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, early Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (Noticias SIN via AP)

A Dominican National Police spokesman confirmed Dotel died while he was in transit to the hospital.

"Dotel was taken to one of the designated hospitals. On the way there, his condition worsened and he died," police spokesman Diego Pesqueira said.

Fox News Digital contacted the Emergency Operations Center and an agent listed for Dotel for comment but didn't immediately hear back.

Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the