Torrealba's kidnapped son rescued

Torrealba's kidnapped son rescued
Child of Rockies catcher had been abducted in Venezuela

By David Venn and Thomas Harding / MLB.com

06/04/09 2:35 PM ET

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 Torrealba 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.

David Venn and Thomas Harding are reporters for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Rockies keep Torrealba in thoughts
Fellow Venezuelan Bellorin knows severity of situation

By Thomas Harding / MLB.com

06/05/09 12:52 AM ET

HOUSTON -- The Rockies were delighted at the news that catcher Yorvit Torrealba has his son back from kidnappers in Venezuela.

Edwin Bellorin, who played in his place in Thursday night's 10-3 victory over the Astros, has a strong understanding of what Torrealba is going through.

Bellorin was behind the plate as catcher and went 1-for-4 with a walk in his first Major League start of the season. A native of Bolivar, Venezuela, Bellorin had Torrealba on his mind.

"I am so glad for Yorvit, because things can go badly with this kind of thing," Bellorin said. "It's very scary, because things are bad right now in my country."

The fear was palpable in the Rockies' clubhouse Thursday afternoon, even though multiple news reports said Torrealba's son, whose name MLB.com is electing not to disclose and who turns 12 next month, and other family members that were affected were safe.

One player respectfully declined to discuss the matter, saying he thought he was putting Torrealba in danger if he spoke before knowing Torrealba and family members were on U.S. soil.

But baseball players and anyone on the upper end of what has become a two-tiered class structure in Venezuela have fear.

Bellorin noted that a friend has a father who is a wealthy farm owner, but the family essentially sold the farm to retrieve him from kidnappers. Bellorin, who hasn't established a big league presence and therefore hasn't had a huge salary that makes him a target once it hits the news, said he cautions his mother not to let many people know what he does for a living.

But most were breathing easier in the wake of the positive news.

"I can't even begin to tell you, having children of my own, how gratified you are that it worked out," Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. "Knowing how much he loves his son, and knowing what he was going through when I talked to him, it goes without saying you're pleased when you get a phone call last night."

When Torrealba is due in the U.S. is unclear. Torrealba's agent, Melvin Roman, said he has talked to Torrealba several times throughout the ordeal. He said Torrealba was talking with law enforcement investigators on Thursday. It was possible he and members of his family could head to the U.S. on Friday, but Roman said that wasn't official. He planned to talk with Torrealba again Thursday night.

"I am very relieved and very happy that something has worked out, and his family is safe," Roman said.

Rockies pitcher Aaron Cook said, "Yorvit is not only a great guy in the clubhouse and a great friend to a lot of people. Our biggest concern is for him, his family, the safety of his son and other family members.

"We've known about it since the night it happened. There hasn't been a day gone by that I haven't thought about it quite a bit."

Thomas Harding is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Torrealba thanks fans for support
Rockies catcher grateful for prayers during family's ordeal

By Thomas Harding / MLB.com

06/05/09 5:52 PM ET

ST. LOUIS -- Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba released a statement thanking fans for support during an ordeal that finished with his son and two other family members being rescued from kidnappers in Venezuela.

The statement acknowledged that Torrealba's son, brother-in-law and wife's brother-in-law were kidnapped Tuesday and released Wednesday. Early news reports conflicted over the number and identities of those abducted.

"Yorvit appreciates the support he has received from the Colorado Rockies and their fans, and wants to thank the baseball community for their prayers on behalf of his son, brother-in-law and his wife's brother-in-law," said Torrealba's agent, Melvin D. Roman. "Yorvit plans to return to the Rockies as soon as possible, and hopes that people will respect the privacy of his family during this very difficult and emotional situation."

The statement did not reveal Torrealba's current whereabouts or discuss when he will return to the club. The hope has been that he and his family members could come to the U.S. as early as Friday.

The Rockies say Torrealba will be given all the time he needs.

Thomas Harding is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.