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Former Red Sox slugger David Ortiz released from hospital

BOSTON (WHDH) - Former Red Sox slugger David Ortiz was released from Massachusetts General Hospital on Friday, the team confirmed.

David Oritz underwent three surgeries resulting from the gunshot wound he suffered nearly seven weeks ago.

“Hopefully we can see him soon,” Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts said after they beat the Yankees 9-5 on Saturday. “I know there’s a lot of guys in here that would want to go see him.”

Ortiz was shot in the back at a bar in the Dominican Republic last month. Dominican police have said he was mistaken for another man who was sitting near him at the club.

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

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

A spokesperson for the Red Sox will provide an update on his condition early next week.

For now, fans say they are overjoyed that Big Papi is doing better.

“Great news, he is the life of the city in a lot of ways,” Red Sox fan Sam Joseph said. “Been here for us through hard times with bombing and I am glad he is out and safe and hopefully healthy moving forward.”

This is a developing news story; stay with 7News on-air and online for the latest developments.