PITTSBURGH -- Lincoln Holdzkom, the older brother of Pirates reliever John Holdzkom and a former Bucs Minor Leaguer, was killed in a car crash in California on Sunday, according to the New Zealand Herald. He was 33.
Holdzkom spent eight seasons pitching in the Minor Leagues for the Marlins, Cubs, Red Sox and Pirates, most recently appearing in 14 games for Double-A Altoona in 2009. He also pitched for New Zealand in 2012 in the country's attempt to qualify for the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
Baseball New Zealand chief executive Ryan Flynn told the Herald the organization is "devastated by the loss" of Holdzkom.