A former Venezuelan baseball player currently working for the San Diego Padres was detained by federal immigration officers after arriving in Texas on a work trip for the club, according to statements from his family on Tuesday.
Oswaldo Pirela, who serves as a catching coordinator in the Padres' minor league pipeline, was being held at an El Paso detention center, federal records indicate. In an issued statement, the Padres acknowledged the arrest and noted the club is actively working to gather further details.
