Former MLB pitcher Scott Sauerbeck’s cause of death revealed

Former MLB pitcher Scott Sauerbeck, who died in February, passed away due to complications from the flu, an autopsy revealed. 

The District 12 Medical Examiner’s Office in Florida listed the cause of death as “sequela of acute influenza A, including streptococcal pharyngitis,” according to the autopsy report obtained by TMZ. 

It was ruled that the 53-year-old’s passing was from natural causes and no substances were found in his system, the toxicology report stated. 

Hypertensive heart disease was also listed as a contributory factor, according to the autopsy. 

Sauerbeck died in mid-February in Bradenton, Florida, and the news was announced soon after by the Pirates.

Sauerbeck had spent seven seasons in the majors after being drafted by the Mets in the 1994 draft, playing the next three seasons in the Mets’ minor league system. 

He was selected by the Pirates in the Rule 5 draft in 1998 and played for the franchise from 1999-2003, posting a 3.56 ERA across 341 appearances.

Sauerbeck then got traded to the Red Sox during the 2003 season and later signed with Cleveland in 2004, but missed the entire year.

He then spent time with the A’s in 2006 and the next two years in the minor league systems of the Astros, Blue Jays, Reds and White Sox.