Former Red Sox star David Ortiz shot

By Meg Wagner, Veronica Rocha, Mike Hayes and Elise Hammond, CNN

Updated 5:06 p.m. ET, June 10, 2019
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4:55 p.m. ET, June 10, 2019

David Ortiz is in stable condition, surgeon says

From CNN's Maria Ramirez Uribe

David Ortiz looks on before the Red Sox home opening game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on April 09, 2019 in Boston.
David Ortiz looks on before the Red Sox home opening game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on April 09, 2019 in Boston. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Former Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz is in stable condition and has asked to see his family, according to Dr. Jose Abel Gonzalez, who assisted on his surgery.

Gonzalez said Ortiz suffered lesions to the liver, large intestine and small intestine from the gunshot.

"When he opened his eyes, the first thing he asked for was to see his family," Gonzalez said during a news conference Monday at the Clinica Abel, the hospital where Ortiz has been treated. 

"He finds himself in a good state of mind and is waiting to travel to Boston this afternoon to see his personal doctors and his wife," Gonzalez added. 

In terms of recovery, Gonzalez said, "We hope it will be the shortest possible." He said he expects Ortiz to return to life "same as before" following recovery. 

Ortiz's father Leo Ortiz also spoke at the news conference and thanked the medical team.

"On behalf of the Ortiz family, David Ortiz's work team, I want to thank the press but especially this medical team," he said. 

3:49 p.m. ET, June 10, 2019

Red Sox arrange air ambulance to transport Ortiz to Boston

The Boston Red Sox have arranged a medical air ambulance to transport their former star player David Ortiz to Boston from Santo Domingo later today, according to Sam Kennedy, the team's president and CEO.

Ortiz was shot at a club in his native Dominican Republic on Sunday,

There is no specific time for the arrival of the air ambulance, but the team expects it to be later today or tonight, the Red Sox president said.

Ortiz, whose condition is still serious, but stable enough to be transported, will be admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital upon arrival, Kennedy said.

 

3:18 p.m. ET, June 10, 2019

Boston Bruins wish Ortiz a speedy recover: "He’s been a huge role model for a lot of people, especially out in Boston"

Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Players and coaches for the Boston Bruins are sending well wishes to former Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz as he recovers from last night's shooting.

“I wish him well and a speedy recovery. Hopefully he’s back to health in a hurry," Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy.

Bruins center Karson Kuhlman praised Ortiz as a "huge role model" for athletes everywhere — especially those in Boston.

“I saw that obviously, last night after the game, that’s terrible. I mean, he’s been a huge role model for a lot of people, especially out in Boston, but just in the sporting community as well, so it’s a tough thing to see," he said.

And Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask tweeted this:

The Bruins are currently playing in the Stanley Cup finals.

1:04 p.m. ET, June 10, 2019

You might know David Ortiz as "Big Papi." Here's why.

From CNN's AJ Willingham

David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox during the eighth inning of the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on September 22, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts.
David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox during the eighth inning of the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on September 22, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. Jim Rogash/Getty Images

When you say Big Papi, everyone knows exactly who you're talking about. Even fellow New England sports great Tom Brady doesn't have that kind of singular recognition.

There are a few theories as to how he got such an enduring moniker, but Ortiz himself told Stephen Colbert that it was because, well, he's not very good at remembering names.

"I meet so many people every day, it's hard for me to keep up with their names," he told "The Late Show" host in 2017. "So, I just 'Papi' people."

In other words, Ortiz just calls everyone "Papi," in keeping with a Dominican custom, he said.

People just started calling him "Papi" back, Ortiz said, and it stuck.

12:47 p.m. ET, June 10, 2019

Ortiz's assistant: "It was not a robbery," and Red Sox star doesn't know the suspect

Former Red Sox star David Ortiz does not know the suspect who is in police custody and does not know why the suspect shot him, Ortiz's assistant Leo Lopez told CNN.

Lopez said he is confident "it was not a robbery." Lopez wouldn't speculate on a motive.

What we know about the suspect: Police identified Eddy Vladimir Féliz García as one of the suspect's involved in Ortiz's shooting on Sunday. Féliz García has a 2017 drug charge and lives in Las Caobas, West Santo Domingo, according to a National Police news statement.

12:33 p.m. ET, June 10, 2019

Doctors removed parts of Ortiz's organs to stop internal bleeding 

David Ortiz was "bleeding from his liver" and had portions of his organs removed after the shooting, according to Ortiz's assistant Leo Lopez.

During surgery last night, doctors told his family and assistant that they removed "portions of his intestines, colon and his gallbladder [was] taken out" to stop the bleeding, Lopez told CNN.

Lopez is at the Dominican Republic hospital with Ortiz's father and sisters, while the former ballplayer remains in intensive care, he said. 

The family is waiting to speak to medical staff and hopes to move Ortiz to a hospital in the US as soon as doctors allow. Lopez said Ortiz's wife is in the US at this time. 

12:03 p.m. ET, June 10, 2019

Obama wishes Ortiz a "speedy recovery"

In this file photo, former Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz holds a Red Sox jersey presented to former US President Barack Obama during a ceremony at the White House on April 1, 2014 in Washington, DC.
In this file photo, former Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz holds a Red Sox jersey presented to former US President Barack Obama during a ceremony at the White House on April 1, 2014 in Washington, DC. Win McNamee/Getty Images

Former US president Barack Obama just tweeted on how former Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz's "spirit and resolve helped us all begin to heal from the Boston Marathon bombing."

Read Obama's tweet:

11:56 a.m. ET, June 10, 2019

Tom Brady on Ortiz: "Papi defines Boston Strong"

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady just wished David Ortiz a speedy recovery on Twitter, tweeting "get well soon my friend."