Mother of Pirates' Diaz kidnapped in Venezuela
On Thursday afternoon, the mother of Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Elias Diaz was kidnapped in Venezuela. Several Venezuelan news outlets reported her abduction, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Elizabeth Bloom.
She was kidnapped in the city of San Francisco, in the state of Zulia.
In the wake of the kidnapping, the Pirates are offering their support. Team president Frank Coonelly offered the following statement when the news circulated:
Statement From Pirates President Frank Coonelly Regarding Elias Diaz.
— Pirates (@Pirates) February 8, 2018
Our thoughts and prayers are with Elias and his family. pic.twitter.com/W4JGg100Ia
Venezuela has seen violence rise amidst protests over its tumultuous political climate. Last summer, former chief prosecutor Luisa Ortega told reporters that she had proof of President Nicolas Maduro being involved in corruption, according to Reuters.
Diaz isn't the first pro baseball player to be impacted by the distressing situation in Venezuela. Fellow Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli expressed his own concern for friends and family as violence mounted last April. Meanwhile, Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera pleaded for his family's safety in July, saying he was "sick of paying protection money against the threat."
The 27-year-old had played only three major-league games prior to 2017 when he appeared in 64. The Pirates originally signed Diaz as an amateur free agent in November 2008.