The 11-year-old son of Colorado Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba was rescued from kidnappers in Venezuela on Wednesday evening, a day and a half after he was taken while on his way to school, according to multiple reports.

 

The Rockies issued a statement regarding the matter Thursday afternoon, with club president Keli McGregor saying: "Our organization is relieved that the situation was resolved with the safe return of Yorvit's family members, and we will continue to support Yorvit and his family through what has been an extremely emotional situation. Yorvit knows that he can take the time he needs and will rejoin the club when the time is right."

 

Media reports in Venezuela said the rescue was carried out by the Venezuelan government's Anti-Extortion and Kidnapping Command, in conjunction with local police in Guarenas and Higuerote.

 

According to 2001.com.ve and noticiaaldia.com, authorities posing as representatives of Torreabla paid a portion of the 2 million bolivares (about $931,000 U.S.) that the kidnappers had demanded in ransom. Upon receiving an undisclosed amount short of what they had sought, the culprits fled and left Torrealba's son and his two uncles, who they were also holding, on a highway in Araira.

 

There were some conflicting reports on the details. The Caracas newspaper, De todo en diversions, which the Denver Post cited in an online report, said that no ransom was paid.

 

The Rockies' statement, based on information from MLB Security, said it was Torrealba's son and brother-in-law who were kidnapped and are now safe. Other reports indicated that the boy and two relatives were kidnapped.

 

A police spokesman said the alleged kidnappers have been identified, but have not been captured.

 

According to Venezuelan media reports, Torrealba's son, whose name MLB.com is electing not to disclose and who turns 12 next month, and two uncles, who were taking him to school, were kidnapped on Tuesday morning in Guarenas, Venezuela.

 

Torrealba played for the Rockies on Monday night and threw out two would-be base stealers in the Rockies' 4-1 loss. The next day he received word of the kidnapping and flew immediately to Venezuela.

 

The Rockies were aware of the situation, but under directions from the police and Major League Baseball's security department, they did not comment beyond confirming that Torrealba had left the club for personal reasons. The Rockies placed Torrealba on the restricted list, which allowed them to replace him on the 25-man active roster and 40-man Major League roster.

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090604&content_id=5145042&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

If I was a ballplayer from Venezuela, I would get myself and every family member the F**K out of the country, seriously with the stuff with Urbina's mom and now this, you've got enough money just leave! Move to NYC or Miami, where I can't beleive I'll say this, but its safe?!

If I was a ballplayer from Venezuela, I would get myself and every family member the F**K out of the country, seriously with the stuff with Urbina's mom and now this, you've got enough money just leave! Move to NYC or Miami, where I can't beleive I'll say this, but its safe?!

 

 

well I think it happens everywhere, kids getting kidnaped everyday in America, and newyork and miami i wouldnt say are the best places to live if you wanna stay safe. I say move to Canada, nothing ever happens there, you can live a peacefull life and get free medical too.

Just glad the kid was rescued.

makes no difference, I mean for example, what was the name of that singer lady, or actor, who lost most of her family members in AMERICA? She was African American, happened last year, it was very sad. The story was the kidnappers wanted a ransom of about 500 thousand dollars and instead she offered it on myspace to ANYONE with info leading to their capture, they killed a kid and some grown ups too. Forgot her NAME!

 

 

 

UPDATE: Jennifer Hudson is her name!