Wilson Ramos, a 24-year old who played in 113 games last season as a rookie for the Washington Nationals, has been abducted.
Early yesterday, the professional ballplayer was reportedly taken by four armed men in his native country of Venezuela, according to The Associated Press. He has not been heard from since.
“We are still waiting for any news about Wilson Ramos … all the authorities are working in the case … We need to be patience and pray,” Tweeted Kathe Vilera, a spokeswoman for the Venezuelan League team where Ramos has been playing during the offseason.
Ramos, who batted .267 in 2011, is the first Major Leaguer to be suffer such a fate in Venezuela. Kidnappers in that nation, however, have been known to hold the kin of wealthy families hostage in exchange for ransom.