By Matthew Tallarini
World Baseball Network
Veteran pitcher Matt Pobereyko passed away Saturday at the age of 31 from a heart attack according to multiple news reports.
Poberekyo, a native of Hammond, Ind., pitched for Caneros De Los Mochis in the Caribbean Series representing Mexico last month, where he helped his team win third place, beating Colombia’s Vaqueros de Monteria.
Pobereyko was in the New York Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks and Miami Marlins organizations during his minor league career in the United States.
Pobereyko has played in several international leagues in addition to his time in the minors. He played winter ball in the Dominican Republic with Estrellas Orientales from 2018-19 through the 2021-22 winter league season. After resurfacing in affiliated baseball with Double-A Pensacola during the 2021 season, he posted a 1.17 ERA in 12 games, pitching 15.1 innings and striking out 21 batters before being released. Pobereyko eventually got a contract to play with the Sioux City Explorers in the American Association, where he appeared in 21 games, recording a 2.22 ERA and striking out 37 batters.
Poberyeko played Bravos De Leon out of the Liga Mexicana De Beisbol last summer, where he went 4-4 with a 5.45 ERA in 34.2 innings pitched, striking out 43 batters before he was released. Pobereyko got picked up again by Sioux City and pitched in six games, going 2-1 and recording a 1.73 ERA in 26 innings pitched, while striking out 42 batters.
The Kentucky Wesleyan product played with Algodoneros De Guasave last winter, where he went 6-2 with a 2.50 ERA, starting 13 games and pitching 70.1 innings, striking out 73 batters before being joining Caneros de Los Mochis for the Caribbean Series.
Poberyeko was born in Hammond, Indiana, United States of America, on December 24, 1991. He is survived by his mother Karen, father Paul, and his brother, Danny.