CINCINNATI (WKRC) – Three months after the sudden passing of Cincinnati native and former MLB pitcher Scott Sauerbeck, the cause of his death has been disclosed.
Sauerbeck, who died in Palmetto, Florida, on February 18 at the age of 53, succumbed to complications from influenza, with hypertensive heart disease contributing, according to a report from the Florida Medical Examiner’s Office obtained by PEOPLE and also reported by TMZ.
The report specifies “sequela of acute influenza A, including streptococcal pharyngitis” as the cause of death. The medical examiner ruled Sauerbeck’s death as natural, and a toxicology report confirmed no illicit substances were present in his system.
The Pittsburgh Pirates, one of Sauerbeck’s former teams, announced his death. “The Pirates family mourns the passing of Scott Sauerbeck,” the team said in a statement. “Scott played for the Bucs from 1999-2003 and shares the club record for most games pitched by a LHP in one season. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
Sauerbeck, who graduated from Northwest High School, played college baseball at Miami University and signed a minor league deal with his hometown Reds in 2008. He failed to make the team out of spring training, and then struggled with the Triple-A Louisville Bats. Sauerbeck was released after just over three months with the organization.
Drafted by the New York Mets in 1994, he made his major league debut with the Pirates in 1999. Over his career, he also played for the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland (Indians) Guardians, and Oakland Athletics in 2006. From there he was with minor league teams for the Houston Astros and Toronto Blue Jays, then the Reds organization and Chicago White Sox minor league team in Charlotte before retiring in 2008.
He was 20-17 with a 3.82 ERA in seven MLB seasons.
Per an online obituary, Sauerbeck is survived by his wife Stephanie, children Jackson, Calvin and Georgia and stepchildren Logan and Landon.