Padre Honors Teammate Whose Wife Just Died of Cancer

SAN DIEGO, CA — Although San Diego Padres' infielder Yangervis Solarte didn't play with his teammates Sunday against the Colorado Rockies in Denver because he is mourning the very recent loss of his wife, he was still in their hearts.

As second baseman Adam Rosales cruised across home plate on a yet another home run, he did Padres' Solarte's signature move: he slowed down and executed a pronounced overhand clap with his right hand — Solarte's trademarked celebration, wrote A.J. Cassavell, who covers the Padres for Mlb.com.

Solarte's 31-year-old wife, Yuliett, died Saturday of complications from her battle with cancer, Cassavell wrote. Solarte was with her when she passed, as he left the team on Friday to fly back to his home in Florida to be with her and their three daughters.

"Building a family is the nicest thing you have; to be broken in this way is difficult but I know I will be at peace," Solarte wrote in Spanish on Twitter, following his wife's passing.

Rosales said a few of the Padres hitters had talked before the game about honoring Solarte with the gesture if they hit a home run, Cassavell wrote.

"Right when I hit it, I knew it was gone," Rosales said. "I went around first base, I thought about Yuliett and [Yangervis] the whole time. It was just a tribute. I feel like it would mean a lot to Solarte to know how much he means to us, how much his family means to the San Diego Padres."

The Rockies also honored Yuliett with a moment of silence before the game began.

According to Cassavell, Solarte has informed the Padres he'd like to return before the end of the season, "but he'll undoubtedly be afforded as much time away as he needs."

To read the complete article and see a video clip of Rosales' tribute to his teammate, click here.

Player photos courtesy of Mlb.com