Ex-MLB star Yoervis Medina dead at 37 after suffering heart attack while driving

The world of baseball is in mourning following the shocking death of former Seattle Mariners and Chicago Cubs pitcher Yoervis Medina at the age of just 37.

Medina, a Venezuelan pitcher, reportedly suffered a heart attack while driving in his home country, which ultimately led to a car crash.

Local media claim the incident happened on Thursday night in Naguanagua and that Medina smashed into several parked cars after his medical emergency behind the wheel.

First responders are then said to have arrived at the scene, near a parking lot entrance to the Via Veneto Shopping Center, to find Medina slumped behind the wheel 'without vital signs'.  

His death has been confirmed by the Mariners with a statement on social media which read: 'We are saddened to hear of the passing of former Mariners pitcher Yoervis Medina. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.'

Medina spent four seasons in Major League Baseball, the first three of which in Seattle after rising through the minor leagues.

He made his debut in 2013, appearing in 63 games and posting a 4-6 record with a 2.91 ERA.

A year later, he pitched in 66 games, and then in 2015 he appeared in 12 games before being traded to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Welington Castillo.

He only made five appearances for the Cubs, with an ERA of 7.00, recording seven strikeouts across nine innings before being designated for assignment.

He was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates in December of that year, and three months later was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Jesse Biddle.

He played for Philadelphia in the minor leagues but never made it back to The Show, eventually being released in July 2016.

In his latter years, he played baseball in Italy and the Czech Republic.