Two years ago this month, Yordano Ventura stood on the field at Estadio Municipal in Las Terrenas in the Dominican Republic as a beacon of hope.

On the field where he learned the game of baseball and was first seen by a Kansas City Royals scout, youngsters either flocked around or stood back in awe of the rising major league star who had won Game 6 of the 2014 World Series as he honored Oscar Taveras — the friend and countryman who had died days before in a car crash.

Many cried as they watched the game in the nearby town square that night, emotions of both anguish over the death of Taveras and pride in Ventura, the native son who offered hope.

And now … this. A memorial service for Ventura on the same field Tuesday.

Under a sunny sky, a marching band played a somber tune. A Dominican Republic flag and a Royals jersey were spread over the casket of Ventura, who died in a car crash early Sunday.

As loved ones crowded onto the field, cries of anguish rang out. Pallbearers, among them some current and former Royals teammates, set the 25-year-old's remains just over the pitcher's mound. Many children also attended, wearing baseball jerseys with “Ventura” on the back.

Statements were made on behalf of the town of Las Terrenas, as well as by the pastor at the church Ventura attended growing up. Attendees took a couple of minutes to sing the national anthem of the Dominican Republic, “Quisqueyanos Valientes,” which means Brave Dominicans in English.

The group of family members and friends, which included the Royals' Eric Hosmer, Alcides Escobar and Mike Moustakas, as well as former Royals Greg Holland, Jarrod Dyson and Chris Getz, sang. A prayer was said.

Then, Salvador Perez spoke on behalf of the Royals. The catcher battled sobs from an unsettled crowd as he spoke deliberately and in a subdued tone.

“He wasn't just a teammate or a friend,” Perez said. “He was a brother. We've known him since he started playing for Kansas City. His moments aside, he had a big heart. It's incredibly sad what we're going through right now.”

Then Perez paused briefly to turn away from a television station's microphone and toward Ventura's mother, Marisol, who was wracked with grief.

“Mi doña, stay strong for your family,” he said. “You have our support. And we will never forget what you told us at your home: ‘After God, family.'

“I regret the loss of our brother Ventura. Only God knows why he does these things. “I love you. And on behalf of the Kansas City Royals, I wish for all of you strength.”

After the service, former Royals pitchers Johnny Cueto and Edinson Volquez were among the players who got up on the pickup truck that drove out with Ventura's casket, headed to the town cemetery for interment.

In 2015, Cueto, Volquez and Ventura formed the first World Series starting rotation with three Dominican pitchers.

The funeral procession started Tuesday morning with a visitation in a Las Terrenas home owned by Ventura. Ventura's family and Royals players and other team personnel, including manager Ned Yost and general manager Dayton Moore, paid their respects during a quiet session that included the opening of the casket for a brief time.

The ceremony on the field followed.

—? Vahe Gregorian, Maria Torres and Pete Grathoff, The Kansas City Star

Minor league Orioles signings: The Orioles announced a host of minor league signings Tuesday as spring training grows nearer, a list headlined by the official returns of two older brothers of their major league stars.

Bobby Bundy, the right-handed pitcher whose younger brother Dylan spent all last season on the major league roster, is back in the organization, as is infielder Sharlon Schoop, older brother of second baseman Jonathan Schoop.

Schoop and Bundy split last year between Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk, with Bundy thriving for most of the second half.

Also returning to the organization is left-hander Tim Berry, who was lost on waivers last offseason in something of a surprise move. In 2014, Berry had a strong year at Bowie, but returned there in 2015 and struggled badly. He was lost when the Orioles tried to slip him through waivers and spent time in the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres organizations last year.

Additionally, as previously reported, the Orioles signed first baseman Jesus Montero, a former top prospect with the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners. Montero, 27, spent last season at Triple-A in the Toronto Blue Jays organization, and must serve a 50-game suspension for violating baseball's drug policy before he can play in 2017.

Also joining the organization are right-handers Zach Stewart, Mario Alcantara, Trey Haley and Cody Satterwhite.

For more of Jon Meoli's blog post on the signings, go to baltimoresun.com/orioles.

Hundley joins Giants: Former Oriole Nick Hundley agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract with San Francisco to serve as Buster Posey's backup catcher.

Hundley passed a physical and his deal was announced.

He batted .260 with 10 home runs and 48 RBIs in 83 games for the Rockies last season, starting 77 games behind the plate.

Posey started 122 games at catcher and 11 at first base last year.