MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Jean Segura is heading home to the Dominican Republic after the death of his 9-month old son.
The 24-year-old Segura learned his son, Janniel, had died after the Brewers’ 7-6 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night.
Segura’s mother, who attended the game, told several Brewers’ wives. They passed the news to their husbands, who then told Segura after the final out.
Ron Roenicke closed the Milwaukee clubhouse to reporters after the game Friday, and the Brewers manager appeared equally saddened a day later. He kept the clubhouse closed before Saturday’s game.
“I didn’t know what to say to him other than giving him a hug and telling him we’re there for him,” Roenicke said. “He had a tough time.”
Roenicke said that the child had been sick.
“Seggy was on the phone yesterday before the game and they thought he was OK, getting better,” Roenicke said. “I really don’t know much more than that.”
Segura went 1 for 4 with a double Friday night. He was placed on the bereavement list Saturday. Infielder Elian Herrera was recalled from Triple-A Nashville.
Milwaukee players went through batting practice in a somber mood.
“It broke my heart,” center fielder Carlos Gomez said. “I’m getting out of the shower and I see he’s crying. I go ask him what’s happening. He told me, ‘My child pass away.’ And I dropped it right there.”
The Brewers 6½ game lead in the NL Central has been trimmed to one after a season-high six-game losing streak.
Asked how the players and his team, which has lost 10 of 11, would respond, Roenicke hesitated.
“I don’t know,” he said. “They adapt pretty well. I’m sure they’ll be OK.”
Gomez had a different thought about playing on Saturday.
“I don’t know,” he said. “I can’t even imagine. We feel like everybody wants to stay home, but it’s a job we have to finish, come in and play hard.”
Said St. Louis manager Mike Matheny: “I heard just a little about it. I can’t even fathom that. We hurt for him, for sure.”
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