Phillies prospect Daniel Brito undergoes surgery after medical emergency; remainder of IronPigs series postponed

Lehigh Valley’s Daniel Brito suffered a medical emergency during Sunday’s game. (Cheryl Pursell)

Philadelphia Phillies prospect Daniel Brito underwent surgery after suffering a medical emergency on the field Saturday while playing for the Triple-A IronPigs in Rochester, New York, prompting the remainder of the series against the Red Wings at Frontier Field to be postponed.

“During the first inning of today’s IronPigs game, third baseman Daniel Brito collapsed on the field,” the Phillies said Saturday in a statement posted by Matt Gelb of The Athletic. “Daniel was transported to a local hospital where he is undergoing surgery. The IronPigs game was subsequently suspended. No additional information on Daniel’s condition is available at this time.”

Saturday’s game, the first of a doubleheader, was suspended in the first inning with Rochester ahead 3-0, and Game 2 was postponed “in the best interest of the players and coaches for both teams,” the Red Wings said in a statement on Twitter.

Rochester announced on Sunday morning that afternoon’s game had been postponed as well.

Players within the Phillies system, both at the major- and minor-league levels, voiced their support for the 23-year-old Brito, who joined the IronPigs last Thursday after a breakout performance for Double-A Reading to start the season.

“My heart aches so much [right now] … Praying for you Brito,” Phillies pitcher and former minor-league teammate of Brito’s JoJo Romero said on Twitter. “… Please keep him in your prayers tonight and during this whole process …”

The IronPigs posted a brief statement on Twitter as well following the postponement of Sunday’s game.

“The IronPigs send our thoughts and prayers to Daniel Brito and his family as he continues to undergo medical evaluation in Rochester,” the team said.