CARACAS, Venezuela -- Houston Astros outfielder Richard Hidalgo was recovering at home Saturday after he was shot in the left forearm during a carjacking.

''Fortunately, no bones are broken and the ligaments don't appear to be damaged,'' Endy Chavez, a Venezuelan outfielder with the Montreal Expos and one of Hidalgo's close friends, told The Associated Press.

Hidalgo bats and throws right-handed. He was released from the hospital Thursday.

Hidalgo will travel to Houston on Sunday and meet with the team's training staff on Monday, Astros spokesman Warren Miller said.

''It seems pretty positive, what we know, but we don't know a whole lot yet,'' Miller said Saturday. ''We'll know something Monday when he comes in and sees the medical team.''

The 27-year-old right fielder was shot Thursday during an attempted carjacking at an intersection near his home in Valencia. 90 miles from Caracas.

''Thank God it was his left arm,'' Chavez said.

Political turmoil and rising crime in Venezuela have led some major leaguers to remain in the United States during the offseason instead of returning home.

Magglio Ordonez, a Venezuelan outfielder with the Chicago White Sox, narrowly escaped a confrontation with thieves two weeks ago in Puerto La Cruz, located 210 miles from the capital.

Hidalgo has struggled since signing a four-year, $32 million contract with the Astros. He missed the final six weeks of the season because of a strained hip, finishing with a .235 average, 15 home runs and 48 RBI in 114 games.

While in Venezuela he has been in a workout program ordered by general manager Gerry Hunsicker.