© 2026 ABC News

\"Welcome home, Big Papi!\" ❤️ pic.twitter.com/UGR34SECdT

— MLB (@MLB) September 9, 2019

Ortiz, who is affectionately known as \"Big Papi,\" was sitting at the Dial Bar and Lounge in Santo Domingo when a gunman came behind him and opened fire. An investigation into the shooting revealed that Ortiz was not the intended target and the bullets were meant for his friend, Sixto David Fernandez.

Oritz underwent at least three surgeries after he was shot in the back. He was released from the hospital nearly 7 weeks after the shooting.

Rolfi Ferreira-Cruz, 25, of New Jersey, was arrested and identified as the alleged gunman who shot Ortiz. Thirteen other suspects have also been arrested for their alleged involvement in the shooting.

Mookie Betts, the right fielder for the Red Sox, posted a tribute to Ortiz welcoming him back.

\"So glad to have you back! Love you big bro,\" he wrote on Instagram.

\"PHOTO:
Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports via Reuters
PHOTO: Former Boston Red Sox player David Ortiz talks to the crowd after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before the game against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park in Boston, Sep 9, 2019.
>

Red Sox fans were pleasantly surprised at both the appearance and how good he looked on Monday.

\"Everybody stood up. It was unbelievable,\" one Red Sox fan told ABC Boston affiliate WCVB. \"Everyone was just cheering. It was crazy.\"

\"He actually looked really good when he came out,\" the fan said. \"I was surprised. I thought he’d be, like, maybe limping or with someone helping him, but he ran right out there.\"

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