In this file photo former Montreal Expos relief pitcher Ugueth Urbina winds up as he works on his pitching at the team's training facility in Jupiter, Fla. Tuesday Feb. 20, 2001.RYAN REMIORZ/The Canadian Press
Former major league All-Star closer Ugueth Urbina is back in baseball after spending more than seven years in prison for attempted murder.
Urbina, who was released from prison last Sunday, took the field at University Stadium in Caracus in his native Venezuela on Friday.
He told reporters that he was looking forward to playing baseball again. He threw a bullpen session with the Caracus Lions of the Venezuelan Winter League.
"I'm excited to be here," he said.
Urbina, 38, served about half of his 14-year sentence over a gun dispute in October 2005. He was arrested and jailed a month later. He was accused of attacking multiple men on his property, allegedly trying to set them on fire and going after at least one with a machete.
The incident ended an 11-year career in which Urbina, 38, twice made the All-Star team. He led the National League with 41 saves for the Montreal Expos in 1999.
In 583 career appearances, including 21 starts, Urbina went 44-49 with 237 saves and a 3.45 ERA.
Urbina said he hopes to make it back to the majors, but "the first order of business is pitching in Venezuela."