Ex-Twins Player Shot In Dominican Republic Bar

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — David Ortiz, who began his career with the Minnesota Twins before winning three World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox, is recovering after being shot Sunday at a club in his native Dominican Republic.

Police say Ortiz, 43, was ambushed by a man who stepped off a motorcycle and shot him in the back from close range. Ortiz underwent surgery at Abel Gonzalez clinic and is now in stable condition.

"Doctors say that David is out of danger, thank God," Leo Ortiz, the retired player's father, told ESPN. "What they have told me post-op is that the doctors believe he will recover quickly."

The incident happened at about 8:50 p.m. Sunday evening at Santo Domingo's Dial Bar and Lounge. One man was taken into police custody. Authorities are working to determine if Ortiz was the intended target.

Video from the scene shows someone walking up behind Ortiz and shooting him. Ortiz collapses as the crowd scatters in panic.

VIEWER ADVISORY: Video contains violence and may be disturbing.

Ortiz retired from Major League Baseball in 2016. After playing with Minnesota for his first six seasons, the Twins cut Ortiz in a cost-cutting move.

He would go on to become "Big Papi" in Boston after the Red Sox signed him, where he became a 10-time All-Star and three-time World Series champion.