'Indescribable pain': Baseball star announces tragic death of wife

The sporting world has been rocked by the death of baseball star Starling Marte’s wife.

The Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder announced on social media on Monday that wife Noelia had died of a heart attack.

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“Today I go through the great pain of making public the unfortunate death of my wife Noelia, due to a heart attack,” Marte wrote on Instagram.

“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.”

Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports that Noelia broke her ankle and was at hospital awaiting surgery when she died.

There are no further details on her death.

Starling and Noelia had two boys and a girl. The couple were originally from Villa Mella near Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Noelia Brazoban was the sister of Dominican singer-songwriter Wason Brazoban.

Sporting world in shock over tragedy

The Diamondbacks sent their condolences to Marte on social media.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of tragic passing of Noelia Marte,” the Diamondbacks wrote.

“Starling and his family are part of the D-backs’ family and we will do all we can to support him and their children during this incredibly difficult time.”

The 31-year-old Marte had played his entire eight-year big league career with the Pittsburgh Pirates before being traded to the Diamondbacks during the off-season.

He made an All-Star team in 2016 and has won two gold gloves.

The Pirates also responded on social media, saying: “the entire Pirates family extend our deepest condolences to Starling Marte and family during this terrible time.”

The rest of the sporting world also reacted with shock, sending condolences to Marte and his family.

with agencies