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David Ortiz Undergoes More Surgery, Now 'Resting Comfortably' At MGH

The ambulance carrying David Ortiz is parked next to a small ambulance plane that would fly him to Boston, at Las Americas Airport in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. (Juan Miguel Pena/AP)
The ambulance carrying David Ortiz is parked next to a small ambulance plane that would fly him to Boston, at Las Americas Airport in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. (Juan Miguel Pena/AP)

A wounded David Ortiz was recovering from a "successful" second surgery in Boston on Tuesday as investigators in his native Dominican Republic tried to figure out who shot the former Red Sox slugger and why.

Ortiz's wife, Tiffany, said in a statement that Big Papi was "stable, awake and resting comfortably" in the intensive care unit at Massachusetts General Hospital and was expected to remain there for several days.

She thanked the team and its owners, Dr. Larry Ronan, the hospital and the community for the "outpouring of support and love" they have shown him.

The 43-year-old retired athlete was flown to Boston on Monday night for further treatment, arriving in an air ambulance provided by the Red Sox, after doctors in the Dominican Republic removed his gallbladder and part of his intestine. An Ortiz spokesman said Ortiz's liver was also damaged in the shooting.

Ortiz was shot at close range in the torso Sunday night by a gunman who approached him from behind at a Santo Domingo bar, authorities said.

Police have said the operator of the motorcycle carrying the assailant was captured and beaten by a crowd at the bar. But the gunman has not been arrested, and investigators were trying to establish whether Ortiz was the target.

The Boston Red Sox and fans pause for a moment for Ortiz, who was shot Sunday evening in the Dominican Republic, prior to a game Monday against the Texas Rangers. (Charles Krupa/AP)
The Boston Red Sox and fans pause for a moment for Ortiz, who was shot Sunday evening in the Dominican Republic, prior to a game Monday against the Texas Rangers. (Charles Krupa/AP)

Ortiz led the Red Sox to three World Series championships — including, in 2004, their first title in 86 years of futility.

With his ferocious swing and his big smile, Ortiz became one of the most beloved sports heroes in Boston history. Fans responded to the shooting with an outpouring of prayers and wishes for a speedy recovery.

With reporting by the AP's Michael Weissenstein and Martin Jose Adames Alcantara, and WBUR's Laney Ruckstuhl

This article was originally published on June 11, 2019.

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