Scott Sauerbeck, a former MLB pitcher who died in February, succumbed to complications related to the flu, according to an autopsy.
The Florida District 12 Medical Examiner’s Office determined that the cause of death was “aftereffects of acute influenza A, including streptococcal pharyngitis.”
The 53-year-old’s death was categorized as natural causes, with a toxicology report revealing the presence of certain materials in his system.
Hypertensive heart disease also contributed to the findings of the autopsy.
Sauerbeck passed away in mid-February in Bradenton, Florida, which was promptly reported by the Pirates.
He had a seven-season career in the majors, initially drafted by the Mets in 1994 and spending three years in their minor league system.
In 1998, he was selected by the Pirates in the Rule 5 draft and played for them from 1999 to 2003, achieving a 3.56 ERA over 341 appearances.
During the 2003 season, he was traded to the Red Sox and later signed with Cleveland in 2004, though he missed a year due to injury.
He subsequently played for the A’s in 2006 before spending the next couple of years in the minor leagues for the Astros, Blue Jays, Reds, and White Sox.
