(AP, ABC7) - A week after being freed from his abductors in Venezuela, Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos has been checked by team doctors during a quick trip to Washington.

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Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo says Ramos is "in terrific shape" and heads back home to Venezuela later Friday.

Rizzo says Ramos plans to play for his winter league team there as soon Tuesday.

“I just want to say thanks to Nats fans for your prayers and your support. I'm happy to be here with my family,” Ramos said during a news conference at Nationals Park. He did not take questions.

Ramos received a hug from teammate Ryan Zimmerman when he returned to the Nationals clubhouse for the first time since his kidnapping.

“When we were speaking back in my office he was happy healthy joking around and with the same sense of humor he had at the end of the season,” Rizzo said.

Ramos was seized at gunpoint on Nov. 9 from in front of his mother's home in Venezuela and was rescued by police commandos two days later in the mountains of Carabobo state.

Venezuelan authorities have charged eight suspects in connection with the 24-year-old Ramos' kidnapping.

Nationals fans are glad to hear the rookie catcher is doing well.

“It's probably a very traumatic event. It's going to take some time to get over that. I suspect when the season starts he'll be back to himself,” said Chris O'Connor.

“That's the best part of the story that he got back safe and sound,” said Lamont Mitchell.