Venezuela: Kidnapped mother of Pirates player rescued

CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan authorities say police have rescued the mother of Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Elias Diaz three days after she was kidnapped.

Zulia state Gov. Omar Prieto announced Sunday evening on his Twitter account that 72-year-old Ana Isabel Soto was rescued earlier in the day by judicial police, state police and other security officers.

Prieto said in a second tweet that he has ordered state police to investigate a police anti-drug team for alleged involvement in the kidnapping. He gave no other details, but Venezuelan media said five officers had been arrested in the case.

The Pirates had confirmed Thursday that Diaz’s mother was missing and said the team was working with Venezuelan officials to secure her safe return.

Team officials gave no specifics on the case, but Venezuelan media said the 24-year-old player’s mother was kidnapped by three armed men at her home in San Francisco, a city about 430 miles west of Caracas.