The mother of former major league pitcher Victor Zambrano has been rescued, Venezuela's justice minister says.
Tareck El Aissami said federal police rescued an unharmed Elizabeth Mendez Zambrano on Tuesday in the central state of Aragua. Three people have been detained, he said.
Elizabeth Mendez Zambrano was abducted Sunday at her son's farm. Police said seven armed men kidnapped her because they didn't find large amounts of cash or jewelry.
Zambrano's mother was kidnapped nine days after his cousin, Richard Mendez Zambrano, was kidnapped and later killed. It's unclear whether the incidents were related.
In Venezuela, which is home to dozens of Major League Baseball players, the families of wealthy athletes are periodically targeted by kidnappers.
Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba's son and brother-in-law were released by kidnappers a day after they were abducted in June.
Zambrano played seven big league seasons for Tampa Bay, the New York Mets, Toronto and Baltimore. The right-hander has a career record of 45-44 with a 4.64 earned-run average.
He hasn't appeared in a major league game since 2007.
