Former Major League Baseball (MLB) left-handed pitcher Brad Halsey died in a recreational climbing accident near his New Braunfels, Texas residence on Friday at the age of 33.  The athlete's agency, O'Connell Sports posted the news of his death on social media site, Twitter.

"We are sorry to hear of the passing of longtime client, Brad Halsey. Our thoughts & prayers are with his family during this difficult time," the O'Connell Sports agency tweeted on Tuesday night.

Bradford Halsey was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks and Oakland Athletics. According to The New York Daily News, 33-year-old Halsey was selected by the Yankees in the eighth round of the 2002 draft out of the University of Texas. He spent one season in 2004 pinstripes.

In January 2005, Brad Halsey was traded to the Arizona as part of the deal that brought Randy Johnson to the Big Apple. He spent three years in the big leagues. He also pitched one season each for the Diamondbacks and Oakland Athletics. He made 40 starts and appeared in 88 games.

The cause of Brad Halsey's death was not immediately known however, a person close to the 33-year-old athlete's family spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity that he died in a recreational climbing accident.

According to Detective Juan Guerrero, the Comal County Sheriff's Office in Texas is investigating Brad Halsey's death and will not issue any details until the probe is complete. He added that the sheriff's office is working with a medical examiner in Lockhart, Texas.

San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser tweeted her condolences on Halsey's sudden death. E! News said she covered Brad Halsey in 2006.

"Such, such sad news about Brad Halsey's death. He was smart and funny and delightful to cover, even just briefly. Only 33 years old," Slusser wrote on Twitter.

She also quoted one of Halsey's former Oakland A's teammates, Huston Street.

"Huston Street says of Brad Halsey: "He was always cheerful, had a playful wit, and was deeply respected by his teammates." #Athletics" she tweeted.

During Brad Halsey's final season in the major leagues, he gave up Barry Bonds' 714^th career home run in 2006, pitching for the A's. In 2011, the 33-year-old former MLB player pitched in independent leagues and most recently was back in the Yankees organization.