OC Register: Former Angels infielder Luis Valbuena killed in car accident in Venezuela

AngelsWin.com · December 7, 2018

Former Angels infielder Luis Valbuena flips his bat after hitting a solo home run during the eighth inning of a game against the Toronto Blue Jays on June 23, 2018 at Angel Stadium. Valbuena has reportedly died in a car accident in his native Venezuela. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SCOTTSDALE, AZ – MARCH 06: Luis Valbuena #18 of the Los Angeles Angels laughs while stretching for the spring training game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 6, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
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The Angels’ Luis Valbuena his an RBI double against the Seattle Mariners during a baseball game, Wednesday, July 4, 2018, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 04: Luis Valbuena #18 and Martin Maldonado #12 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim celebrates after Valbuena hit a three-run homer against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the second inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 4, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
The Angels’ Luis Valbuena in the first inning of a Major League Baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Friday, July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Libby Cline)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 10: Luis Valbuena #18 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim reacts to striking out against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning of the game on June 10, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Angels 7-5. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – JUNE 22: Luis Valbuena #18 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim makes a throw to first base to catch Randal Grichuk #15 of the Toronto Blue Jays in the seventh inning at Angel Stadium on June 22, 2018 in Anaheim, California. Angels won 2-1. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Angels’ Luis Valbuena looks skyward as he crosses home plate after a solo home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Tuesday, May 29, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
The Los Angeles Angels’ Luis Valbuena celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, May 1, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
KANSAS CITY, MO – APRIL 14: Luis Valbuena #18 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim drinks from a bottle labeled Louie Juice after hitting a home run against the Kansas City Royals in the third inning at Kauffman Stadium on April 14, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
The Angels’ Luis Valbuena, right, hits a run scoring single with Houston Astros catcher Tim Federowicz, center, and home plate umpire Ed Hickox during the second inning of a game in Anaheim on Sunday, July 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Los Angeles Angels’ Luis Valbuena is congratulated by Justin Upton after Valbuena scored during the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians in a baseball game Friday, Aug. 3, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Los Angeles Angels’ Luis Valbuena celebrates his home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, June 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
ANAHEIM, CA – APRIL 20: Luis Valbuena #18 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim can’t make the out on Gorkys Hernandez #7 of the San Francisco Giants at first base in the fifth inning of the game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 20, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 23: Luis Valbuena #18 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim points down to Kole Calhoun #56 after he scored on a single in the fifth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on April 23, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Infielder Luis Valbuena waits to hit during the Angels’ spring training workout at the Tempe Diablo Stadium complex in Tempe on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Los Angeles Angels’ Luis Valbuena follows through on a home run in front of Baltimore Orioles catcher Chance Sisco during the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 1, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Infielder Luis Valbuena waits to hit during the Angels’ spring training workout at the Tempe Diablo Stadium complex in Tempe on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Infielder Luis Valbuena throws during the Angels’ spring training workout at the Tempe Diablo Stadium complex in Tempe on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
Los Angeles Angels third baseman Luis Valbuena reacts after San Francisco Giants’ Brandon Belt flew out during the first inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, April 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Los Angeles Angels’ Luis Valbuena, right, tosses his bat after hitting a solo home run while Houston Astros catcher Brian McCann watches during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Angels third baseman Luis Valbuena turns as he tries to throw out the runner in the sixth inning against Cleveland in Anaheim on Thursday, September 21, 2017. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Angels’ Luis Valbuena smiles after his two-run home run during a Sept. 13, 2017 game against the Houston Astros at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Luis Valbuena, who played the final two seasons of his big league career with the Angels, was killed in a car accident on Thursday night, along with former big leaguer José Castillo, a spokesperson for their Venezuelan team confirmed.

Valbuena was 33, and Castillo was 37.

The accident reportedly occurred when their car hit a rock and went off the road in the state of Yarucuy, in Valbuena’s native Venezuela.

Carlos Rivero, another former big leaguer and their teammate in Venezuela, was driving the car and survived.

Valbuena and Castillo both played on Thursday night for their team in Venezuela, the Cardenales de Lara.

The Angels signed Valbuena to a two-year deal prior to the 2017 season, and he remained with the club until he was designated for assignment in August 2018.

Although Valbuena failed to produce as the Angels had hoped, he was popular among his teammates.

Valbuena spent 11 years in the majors, with the Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Indians, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros and Angels.

Castillo played from 2004 to 2008 in the majors, with the Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants and Astros.

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daygloman · December 7, 2018

8 hours ago, AngelsWin.com said:

Former Angels infielder Luis Valbuena flips his bat after hitting a solo home run during the eighth inning of a game against the Toronto Blue Jays on June 23, 2018 at Angel Stadium. Valbuena has reportedly died in a car accident in his native Venezuela. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

SCOTTSDALE, AZ – MARCH 06: Luis Valbuena #18 of the Los Angeles Angels laughs while stretching for the spring training game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 6, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

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The gallery will resume inseconds

The Angels’ Luis Valbuena his an RBI double against the Seattle Mariners during a baseball game, Wednesday, July 4, 2018, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 04: Luis Valbuena #18 and Martin Maldonado #12 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim celebrates after Valbuena hit a three-run homer against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the second inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 4, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The Angels’ Luis Valbuena in the first inning of a Major League Baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Friday, July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Libby Cline)

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 10: Luis Valbuena #18 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim reacts to striking out against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning of the game on June 10, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Angels 7-5. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CA – JUNE 22: Luis Valbuena #18 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim makes a throw to first base to catch Randal Grichuk #15 of the Toronto Blue Jays in the seventh inning at Angel Stadium on June 22, 2018 in Anaheim, California. Angels won 2-1. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Angels’ Luis Valbuena looks skyward as he crosses home plate after a solo home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Tuesday, May 29, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

The Los Angeles Angels’ Luis Valbuena celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, May 1, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

KANSAS CITY, MO – APRIL 14: Luis Valbuena #18 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim drinks from a bottle labeled Louie Juice after hitting a home run against the Kansas City Royals in the third inning at Kauffman Stadium on April 14, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

The Angels’ Luis Valbuena, right, hits a run scoring single with Houston Astros catcher Tim Federowicz, center, and home plate umpire Ed Hickox during the second inning of a game in Anaheim on Sunday, July 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Los Angeles Angels’ Luis Valbuena is congratulated by Justin Upton after Valbuena scored during the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians in a baseball game Friday, Aug. 3, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Los Angeles Angels’ Luis Valbuena celebrates his home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, June 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

ANAHEIM, CA – APRIL 20: Luis Valbuena #18 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim can’t make the out on Gorkys Hernandez #7 of the San Francisco Giants at first base in the fifth inning of the game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 20, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 23: Luis Valbuena #18 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim points down to Kole Calhoun #56 after he scored on a single in the fifth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on April 23, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Infielder Luis Valbuena waits to hit during the Angels’ spring training workout at the Tempe Diablo Stadium complex in Tempe on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)

Los Angeles Angels’ Luis Valbuena follows through on a home run in front of Baltimore Orioles catcher Chance Sisco during the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 1, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Infielder Luis Valbuena waits to hit during the Angels’ spring training workout at the Tempe Diablo Stadium complex in Tempe on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)

Infielder Luis Valbuena throws during the Angels’ spring training workout at the Tempe Diablo Stadium complex in Tempe on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)

Los Angeles Angels third baseman Luis Valbuena reacts after San Francisco Giants’ Brandon Belt flew out during the first inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, April 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Los Angeles Angels’ Luis Valbuena, right, tosses his bat after hitting a solo home run while Houston Astros catcher Brian McCann watches during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Angels third baseman Luis Valbuena turns as he tries to throw out the runner in the sixth inning against Cleveland in Anaheim on Thursday, September 21, 2017. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Angels’ Luis Valbuena smiles after his two-run home run during a Sept. 13, 2017 game against the Houston Astros at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Luis Valbuena, who played the final two seasons of his big league career with the Angels, was killed in a car accident on Thursday night, along with former big leaguer José Castillo, a spokesperson for their Venezuelan team confirmed.

Valbuena was 33, and Castillo was 37.

The accident reportedly occurred when their car hit a rock and went off the road in the state of Yarucuy, in Valbuena’s native Venezuela.

Carlos Rivero, another former big leaguer and their teammate in Venezuela, was driving the car and survived.

Valbuena and Castillo both played on Thursday night for their team in Venezuela, the Cardenales de Lara.

The Angels signed Valbuena to a two-year deal prior to the 2017 season, and he remained with the club until he was designated for assignment in August 2018.

Although Valbuena failed to produce as the Angels had hoped, he was popular among his teammates.

Valbuena spent 11 years in the majors, with the Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Indians, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros and Angels.

Castillo played from 2004 to 2008 in the majors, with the Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants and Astros.

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