| Rockies' Torrealba eager for return to diamond |
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DENVER (AP) -Yorvit Torrealba required only a few games in the minors to regain his timing at the plate. As for his emotional state, the Colorado Rockies catcher needed something much simpler: his son by his side. Torrealba was reinstated from the restricted list Wednesday after missing time to attend to matters involving the kidnapping and safe recovery of his son, 11-year-old Yorvit Eduardo, and other family members in Venezuela. Now, he's eager to start playing baseball, putting the situation behind him. ``I'm really happy being back, hanging out with my teammates,'' said Torrealba, who wasn't in the starting lineup Friday night against Arizona. These days, he has a shadow matching him stride for stride, his son never too far away. They hung out in the clubhouse before the game Friday, the two laughing as his father dressed for batting practice. ' It's been a wrenching ordeal for the family since Torrealba's son, brother-in-law and another relative were snatched by kidnappers last month. They were abducted while driving to the boy's school and the kidnappers demanded nearly $500,000 in ransom, but none was paid. Torrealba left the team in Houston on June 2 to join his wife in Venezuela, listening as she negotiated with the kidnappers. He was informed that it was best if he did not do the talking. A day later, they were left along a highway outside Caracas. His wife and son are now safely with him in Denver. ``Mentally, I feel better,'' he said. ``Don't have to worry about anything.'' To his knowledge, the kidnappers haven't been caught. And he's not giving it much thought, either. ``That is the police's job,'' said Torrealba, who eventually plans to move his family to Miami. ``I can only focus on my job. The fact my family is here, I'm happy with that. If they arrest those guys, fine. If they don't, doesn't matter to me. I won't give (them) a second chance.'' There's no timetable when Torrealba will be back in the starting lineup. For now, he'll serve as Chris Iannetta's backup. ``We feel like he's ready to participate in whatever capacity that we feel is necessary,'' Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. ealba felt fully comfortable before shipping him out for a stint in the minors. He played four games with Triple-A Colorado Springs - hitting .267 - before rejoining the team in Los Angeles on Tuesday. He was activated Wednesday after missing 27 games. To make room for Torrealba, the team designated catcher Paul Phillips for assignment. ``Overall, I feel really good,'' said Torrealba, who's hitting .230 with two homers and seven RBIs. And even better mentally, now that his family is safe and his son is with him. ``Knowing he's right next to me, I sleep good at night,'' Torrealba said. |
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