Pirates catcher, team agree he can miss spring training for good reason — his mother was kidnapped

Some players miss spring training over contract disputes, their assigned roles or just not being signed to a team.

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Elias Diaz will miss an undisclosed amount of time with the team due to his mother’s kidnapping in her native Venezuela, according to a TribLive report. Ana Soto was abducted Thursday, though was rescued on Sunday, the same day five police officers were arrested for their roles in the kidnapping, according to TMZ.

The organization agreed to allow Diaz, who played in 64 games in 2017, to spend time with his family.

“The Pittsburgh Pirates are relieved and overjoyed to learn that Elias Diaz’s mother, Ana Soto, has been rescued and safely reunited with her family,” Pirates President Frank Connelly said in a statement. “We are incredibly grateful for the swift and effective work of the local law enforcement officials in Venezuela who brought this terrifying act to the safe conclusion for which we had all prayed. As an organization, we will continue to support Elias and his family as they move forward together.”

Pirates pitchers and catchers reported to spring training on Monday.

This story was originally published February 13, 2018 at 8:50 AM with the headline "Pirates catcher, team agree he can miss spring training for good reason — his mother was kidnapped."