Report: David Ortiz released from hospital nearly 50 days after shooting in Dominican Republic

BOSTON — Former Red Sox slugger David Ortiz has been released from a Boston hospital nearly 50 days after he was shot in the Dominican Republic last month, according to an ESPN report.

ESPN reporter Marly Rivera tweeted at 1:13 p.m. Saturday that she and fellow ESPN reporter Enrique Rojas confirmed that "Big Papi" was released from the hospital Friday.

Rivera tweeted that a source close to the family said Ortiz will continue his rehabilitation at home, where he will be closely monitored by full-time nurses and will be visited regularly by his personal physician.

"He will continue to undergo all the treatment and rehabilitation necessary to recuperate from his recent injury and surgeries," the family source told Rojas.

On July 11, Ortiz's wife, Tiffany, said he underwent a third surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital for complications resulting from his gunshot wound.

"David is recovering well and is in good spirits," Tiffany Ortiz said in a July 11 statement.

Ortiz was shot June 9 at a bar in Santo Domingo while sitting at a table with friend Sixto David Fernandez, who was the target of the shooting, officials said.

According to Dominican police, Ortiz was at the Dial Bar and Lounge in Santo Domingo at 8:50 p.m. when he was ambushed by a man who got off a motorcycle, approached him from behind and shot him at nearly point-blank range.

Ortiz was taken to a medical facility where he underwent surgery and was in stable condition. ESPN reported that the surgery lasted six hours, and a team of surgeons had to remove part of the 43-year-old's intestines and colon, along with part of his gallbladder. Ortiz also suffered liver damage, according to ESPN.

Red Sox officials sent an air ambulance to the Dominican Republic to bring Ortiz back to Boston for further treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he underwent a second surgery June 10.

Police said a suspected drug trafficker offered to pay $30,000 for the shooting.

Police said they've arrested 14 people in the case, including the suspected gunman, and are searching for others.