
Ryan Zimmerman could tell. From Wilson Ramos' tone when he asked to speak with the Washington Nationals' third baseman, the way he retrieved his phone to find the text message that said, in English, exactly what Ramos wanted to get across that day in spring training. This was important.

The search for Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos passed the 40-hour mark in Venezuela on Friday, but authorities assured his family that the investigations to find him were "advanced," and issued a second assurance that reports of Ramos' death are false.

The clock continued to tick Friday as the investigation into the kidnapping of Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos advanced, according to authorities. But Venezuelan police were forced to issue a second assurance that Ramos was alive as there remained no contact between the kidnappers and Ramos' family, who spent yet another day doing their best to "keep the faith."

After more than 48 hours in captivity, Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos was freed from his kidnappers late Friday night.

Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos was kidnapped near his home in Valencia, Venezuela, on Wednesday, a source close to Ramos' family confirmed to The Washington Times.

Each day, roughly 45 minutes before the first pitch, Wilson Ramos makes his way into the Washington Nationals' dugout. On days he starts, the rookie catcher spends a few minutes getting his gear on before heading to the bullpen to warm up that day's starting pitcher.