Saturday, March 01, 2025, 2:53PM |  35°
MENU
Advertisement
Pirates Elias Diaz hits a single against the Cardinals in the first inning Sept. 23 at PNC Park.
1
MORE

Pirates catcher Elias Diaz's mother has been kidnapped in Venezuela

Matt Freed/Post-Gazette

Pirates catcher Elias Diaz's mother has been kidnapped in Venezuela

Pirates catcher Elias Diaz’s mother has been kidnapped in Venezuela. The news was first reported by several media outlets in Venezuela. 

Diaz’s mother was kidnapped in San Francisco, in the state of Zulia, on Thursday afternoon, according to a brief article on the Venezuelan website Meridiano.

Pirates president Frank Coonnelly said in a statement: “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.”

Advertisement

Kidnappings have been on the rise in Venezuela in the wake of the country’s unstable and violent political situation. Nicolas Maduro’s government has cracked down on opposition, staging undemocratic elections last year and prompting severe sanctions from the U.S. government. Several of the Pirates players have spoken out against the Venezuelan government and have not been home in years, including closer Felipe Rivero and Francisco Cervelli. 

Mayor Bill Peduto addresses the crowd gathered for the Pirates Rally Tuesday at the Allegheny County Courthouse the day before the Pirates took on the Chicago Cubs 2015 National League wildcard game.
Elizabeth Bloom
No, the Pirates are not kicking a youth tournament out of PNC Park

According to one report, Diaz is in the United States. Pirates pitchers and catchers report to spring training Monday in Bradenton, Fla. 

Elizabeth Bloom: ebloom@post-gazette.com, 412-263-1750 and Twitter: @BloomPG. 

First Published: February 8, 2018, 7:18 p.m.

Advertisement
RELATED
Fans take in the sunshine as the Pirates take on the Braves Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at LECOM Park in Bradenton, FL. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Sean Gentille
MLB's best unsigned free agents are headed ... for Bradenton
PNC Park
Mark Belko
Pirates not happy with $2.6M in reimbursements for PNC Park upgrades
Pirates right fielder Gregory Polanco takes a break during his workout at the National Botanical Garden in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Stephen J. Nesbitt
Inside Gregory Polanco's attempt to rebuild himself
SHOW COMMENTS (0)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) reacts near teammate linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) after sacking Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley during the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, in Baltimore.
1
sports
Steelers position analysis: T.J. Watt open to changing his role, but the Steelers have to help him
Vice President JD Vance, right, speaks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, as President Donald Trump, center, listens in the Oval Office at the White House, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, in Washington.
2
news
VP Vance attacks last year's Pa. visit by Zelenskyy in contentious White House meeting
Law enforcement respond to the scene of a shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pa. on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.
3
news
UPMC hospital shooting puts focus on violence health care workers see 'at an increased rate'
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) against West Virginia in the first half during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz.
4
sports
Steelers NFL draft big board: Best fits at wide receiver
Co-owners Mary Mancini Hartner and her son, Nick, stand  in front of the original mixer at Mancini’s Bakery in Stowe.
5
life
Iconic Eats: Stowe-based Mancini’s Bakery has been feeding the area since 1926
Pirates Elias Diaz hits a single against the Cardinals in the first inning Sept. 23 at PNC Park.  (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette
Advertisement
LATEST sports
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story