Ex-Phils pitcher Ugueth Urbina released from Venezuelan prison

Caracas, Venezuela (4E Sports) – Former All-Star pitcher Ugueth Urbina has been released from incarceration in Venezuela on Saturday for good behavior.

Urbina, 38, has served more than 5½ years of a 14-year sentence handed down in March 2007.

He was convicted of attempted murder in attacking and injuring workers with machetes and pouring gasoline on them at his family’s ranch in October 2005.

Urbina’s release has been confirmed by his son, Juan Urbina, on Twitter.

A two-time All-Star, Urbina last pitched in the majors with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2005 and is 30th on the all-time saves list with 237. He had two saves in the 2003 World Series for the victorious Marlins, who defeated the Yankees in six games.

In 11 seasons with the Expos, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, Marlins, Detroit Tigers and Phillies, Urbina went 44-49 with a 3.45 ERA. In 1999, he led the National League with 41 saves for the Expos; in 2002, he was third in the AL with 40 saves for the Red Sox.

Veteran outfielder Bobby Abreu, a teammate of Urbina’s in Philadelphia, said he is “happy” that his friend has been released.

“Anyone who knows him well, knows his humanity, regardless of the (incident),” said Abreu.

Juan Vicente Zerpa, manager of the Leones de Caracas of the Venezuelan winter league, said he would “welcome” Urbina on his team. “He already paid his debt to society,” Zerpa said.

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