Multiple media reports out of Venezuela today confirm that the 72-year-old mother of Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Elias Diaz has been kidnapped. According to the reports, three heavily armed gunmen broke into her house at 8 AM local time while she was sleeping and wrapped her up in a sheet, putting her in a van. Witnesses were able to get a license plate from the van and authorities have been searching for her since.
A brother of Diaz was home at the time and was not the target of the kidnapping. Elias Diaz has another brother named Emison Soto, who played for the DSL Pirates last year. He was not at the home at the time of the incident.
Pirates President Frank Coonelly issued a statement on behalf of the team:
“We are all shocked and deeply concerned for Elias’ mother, as well as for Elias and his entire family. We have Elias’ mom and Elias’ entire family in our prayers. We are using all of the resources available at the Pirates and Major League Baseball to support Elias and his family during this incredibly difficult time. As we work with authorities on his mom’s safe return, we will withhold further comment and ask that you please respect the family’s need for privacy.”
UPDATE: In case you missed it from Twitter…
Update on the Elias Diaz situation here. Multiple Venezuelan reports are saying that the kidnappers haven't asked for ransom yet and the family has the added concern of the mother needing medication for diabetes and hypertension. Horrible situation is getting even worse #Pirates https://t.co/2gcLG6qz1O
— John Dreker (@JohnDreker) February 9, 2018
