Former Red Sox DH Ortiz shot in Dominican Republic

Former Boston Red Sox slugger and 10-time All-Star David Ortiz was shot in the back Sunday night at a club in his native country of the Dominican Republic, according to several reports.

A lone bullet traveled through Ortiz’s body and exited through his stomach, missing crucial organs, allowing doctors and paramedics to act faster to treat the injury.

According to Ortiz’s media assistant Leo Lopez, he is recuperating in the ICU at Clinica Abel Gonzalez in Santo Domingo. He will most likely remain there for the next 24-48 hours. Ortiz reportedly lost part of his intestines and colon along with his gallbladder, according to reports, as well as some damage to his liver.

A suspect in the shooting is in police custody, identified as Eddy Feliz Garcia, 25. Police were able to quickly arrest Garcia after patrons at the club jumped on top of Garcia and started pummeling him.

Ortiz is expected to make a full recovery, according to the latest update. The Red Sox organization sent out a post regarding the situation and giving need to Ortiz’s family and full support, which said in part, “We have offered David’s family all available resources to aid his recovery and will continue to keep them in our hearts.”

It appears Big Papi will make a full recovery once he is cleared out of the hospital care.

*Update- The Boston Red Sox have sent a plane to the Dominican Republic Monday afternoon to retrieve Big Papi from ICU care, where he has been for approximately 24 hours, according to Dr. Abel Gonzalez.

Ortiz has cleared protocol for being transferred to Boston hospital care. The goal is to have Ortiz in New England for Monday evening.