The Maricopa Medical Examiner’s office said Wednesday morning that A’s minor-leaguer Sean Murphy’s April 25 death was the result of natural causes.
Murphy, 27, died of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a thickening of the ventricles of the heart. The condition is not uncommon and often goes undiagnosed. Cardiomyopathy caused the death of former Oakland pitcher Joe Kennedy on Nov. 23, 2007.
Murphy missed the 2014 season after Tommy John surgery, but made a memorable start for the A’s in March that year, borrowed from minor-league camp for the day and allowing the Rangers one hit in 4 1/3 innings.