David Ortiz shot: Baseball star wounded in Dominican Republic shooting

'He is out of surgery and stable; he is resting. Big Papi will be around for a long time', father says

David Ortiz was shot in the back at close range

(AP/Elise Amendola)

Former Boston Red Sox player David Ortiz has been shot in the back in the Dominican Republic.

Ortiz was at the Dial Bar and Lounge in Santo Domingo around 8.50pm when the gunman got off a motorcycle, approached from behind and shot him at close range, according to authorities.

He was taken to the Abel Gonzalez clinic, where he underwent surgery, but his condition was stable, Dominican National Police Director Ney Aldrin Bautista Almonte said.

Ortiz’s father, Leo, said his son was out of danger and there was no damage to major organs. He said he had no idea why someone would have shot his son.

“He is out of surgery and stable; he is resting,” Leo Ortiz said. “Big Papi will be around for a long time.”

The alleged gunman was captured and beaten by a crowd of people at the bar, Mr Bautista said.

He said police were waiting until the man undergoes treatment for his injuries before questioning him.

Investigators are trying to determine whether Ortiz was the intended target, Mr Bautista added.

Two other people were wounded, he said, including Jhoel Lopez, a Dominican TV host who was with Ortiz.

Mr Bautista said police believe Mr Lopez was wounded by the same bullet.

Mr Lopez was shot in the leg and his injuries were not life-threatening, said his wife, Liza Blanco.

Police did not identify the third person or detail their injuries.

The Boston Red Sox said they have been notified by Ortiz’s family that he sustained a gunshot wound to his “lower back/abdominal region” and he was recovering after surgery.

The Red Sox said they offered the Ortiz family “all available resources to aid in his recovery” and they will continue to keep them in their hearts.

The Dial Bar and Lounge is located in eastern Santo Domingo on Venezuela Avenue, a bustling nightlife district packed with dance clubs and pricey bars Ortiz is known to frequent.

Ortiz, who lives at least part of the year in the Dominican, is often seen getting his cars washed and hanging out with friends including other baseball players, artists and entertainers.

The 43-year-old Ortiz hit 541 homers in 20 major league seasons, including 14 with the Red Sox.

He helped lead Boston to three World Series titles and retired after the 2016 season. He was a 10-time All-Star and World Series MVP in 2013.

Additional reporting by Associated Press