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In a very tragic story, Seattle Mariners and Tacoma Rainiers outfielder Greg Halman was stabbed to death early Monday and his brother was arrested as a suspect, Dutch police said.

Rotterdam Police spokeswoman Patricia Wessels said police were called to a home in the port city in the early hours of the morning and found the 24-year-old Dutch player bleeding from a stab wound.

The officers and ambulance paramedics were unable to resuscitate Halman.

Wessels said the officers arrested Halman’s 22-year-old brother. She declined to give his name, in line with Dutch privacy rules. She said the brother was being questioned by police.

“He is under arrest and right now he is being questioned,” Wessels told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. “It will take some time to figure out what exactly happened.”

No charges have been filed in the case.

Halman signed with the Mariners as a 17-year-old in 2004. The speedy 6-foot-4, 200-pounder spent seven seasons in the organization.

The Dutch-born Halman was called up from Class AAA Tacoma in May this year and hit a home run in his first at bat, but was optioned back in August. He appeared in 44 games over the past two seasons for Seattle. He hit .207 with two homers and six runs batted in.

Here is the official statement from the Tacoma Rainiers:

TACOMA, Wash. - Tacoma Rainiers Team President Aaron Artman released the following statement concerning the tragic passing of outfielder Greg Halman:

“Greg was a huge part of the Rainiers during his time here in Tacoma, and played a pivotal role – on the field – in our run to the 2010 Pacific Coast League Championship. But far more important than what he did on the field, was his personality off the field.

He had a huge smile on his face, every day, and his enthusiasm was infectious.  He just had a way about him that made our front office staff and fans see a guy who clearly loved what he was doing.

He was often first to raise his hand when the Tacoma community needed him, and in particular, spent a good deal of time visiting hospitalized children, which speaks to his character.

We miss Greg, already, and our prayers go out to his family, friends, teammates and the Mariners organization.”