Noelia Brazoban, the wife of Starling Marte, died of a heart attack, the Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder announced Monday.
MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reported that Brazoban was hospitalized awaiting surgery on a broken ankle when she died.
Marte wrote on Instagram, “Today I go through the great pain of making public the unfortunate death of my wife Noelia, due to a heart attack. It is a moment of indescribable pain. On behalf of my family, I am grateful for the expressions of esteem and solidarity in this difficult time.”
Marte, 31, and Brazoban had two boys and a girl. The couple originally were from Villa Mella near Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Noelia Brazoban was the sister of Dominican singer-songwriter Wason Brazoban.
The Diamondbacks acquired Marte on Jan. 27 in a trade that sent two minor-leaguers, right-handed pitcher Brennan Malone and shortstop Liover Peguero, to the Pittsburgh Pirates along with $250,000 in international signing bonus pool money.
Marte has played eight major league seasons, all with the Pirates, earning All-Star honors in 2016 and winning Gold Gloves in 2015 and ’16. A left fielder earlier in his career, Marte moved to center field in 2018, and he is expected to remain in center for Arizona.
In 132 games last season, he hit .295 with a .342 on-base percentage, a .503 slugging percentage, 23 homers, 82 RBIs and 25 stolen bases. For his career, Marte has a .287/.341/.452 batting line with 108 homers, 420 RBIs and 239 steals.
