Former Venezuelan Baseball Player Detained by U.S. Immigration Officials
Oswaldo Pirela, a former Venezuelan baseball player and current catching coach for the San Diego Padres' minor league system, was detained by U.S. immigration officials in El Paso, Texas, upon his arrival for a work trip. Pirela has lived in…
Fort Myers Naples, FL, August 18, 2026 —
Oswaldo Pirela, a former professional baseball player from Venezuela and currently a catching coach within the San Diego Padres’ minor league organization, was detained by U.S. immigration officials. The incident occurred in El Paso, Texas, as Pirela arrived for a work-related trip.
Pirela has resided in the United States for the past 12 years. His immigration status includes a pending asylum application, which he initially filed in 2015. Additionally, Pirela is the father of U.S. citizen children.
The details surrounding the specific circumstances of his detention, including the exact date and the immediate events leading to it, were not immediately available. The San Diego Padres organization has not issued a public statement regarding Pirela’s detention at this time.
Story summarized from the original created by AP on apnews.com, see more information here.
Media gallery
