Former Colorado Rockies left-hander Joe Kennedy died at his in-laws' home Friday. He was 28.

After going to bed early, Kennedy woke up at about 1:15 a.m. Friday and collapsed as he was leaving a bedroom at the home of his wife's parents in Brandon, Fla., Hillsborough County sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue took Kennedy to Brandon Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, she said. FoxSports.com reported that Kennedy died of a brain aneurysm.

"We were terribly shocked," Blue Jays president Paul Godfrey said. "From what we understand he was in Brandon . . . to be the best man at a wedding (on Friday)."

Kennedy spent seven years in the majors, playing last season with Oakland, Arizona and Toronto. He also spent time with Tampa Bay and Colorado and had a 43-61 career record with a 4.79 ERA in 222 appearances.

Kennedy made his major league debut in June 2001 and made his last appearance in relief on Sept. 29 in a 5-3 win against Tampa Bay.

He had a 9-7 mark and a 3.66 ERA during the 2004 season for the Rockies, pitching in 1621/3 innings. In 2005, Kennedy went 4-8 with a 7.04 ERA for Colorado.

"He's a dear friend," said Rockies first baseman Todd Helton, who had spent a number of Thanksgivings in the past five years with the Kennedy family. "He's a good husband and a good father. He has a 1-year-old boy he's so proud of. We became very close since he was my teammate. Our family spent a lot of time together. This just reminds you that you can't take things for granted, you have to take advantage of every opportunity that you have."

Kennedy and his family still lived in the Denver area and had just bought a new house.

Rockies team president Keli McGregor extended his sympathies through a statement released by the team.

"Joe was a great husband, father, teammate and friend to so many in our organization and throughout the baseball world," McGregor said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, wife, his young son and all those whose lives were touched by Joe over his life."

Godfrey said Toronto was interested in bringing Kennedy back. "We had every intention to speak to him," he said. "We had him on our list to talk to."

Kennedy started the 2007 season with Oakland as a starter but was moved to the bullpen after going 3-9 with a 4.37 ERA. He appeared in 27 games, including 16 starts, before being placed on waivers.

Claimed by Arizona in August, he was released that month after just three appearances. The Blue Jays signed him Aug. 29, and Kennedy got his first win as a Blue Jays pitcher on Sept. 21, in New York against the Yankees.