The Tigers confirmed Sunday that the family of relief pitcher Brayan Villarreal was the target of an unsuccessful armed kidnapping on Friday night in Venezuela.
No members of Villarreal’s family were harmed, however, and the incident won’t require him to leave spring training.
Gage adds on his personal Twitter feed that gunfire was involved while noting again that “all ended well.”
Villarreal, a native of Vargas, Venezuela, posted a superb 2.63 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 54 2/3 innings last season for the American League Central-champion Tigers. He is scheduled to make a relief appearance in Monday’s Grapefruit League game vs. the Braves, though it’d be understandable if that were pushed back.
It has been less than two years since Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos -- who was born in Carabobo, Venezuela -- got taken captive in his home country. Authorities found and freed him about 48 hours later.