Padres minor-league catching coordinator released from ICE custody

Oswaldo Pirela, a Venezuelan native who lives in Arizona and serves as the catching coordinator for the San Diego Padres' minor-league affiliates, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at El Paso International Airport on Aug. 16. After being held in Texas, he was released on bond on Monday and traveled back to his family, according to his sister Daniela Pirela. The Padres issued a statement confirming his release and noting they would not comment further.

Homeland Security officials have said Pirela entered the country legally in 2014 and overstayed after 2018, a narrative his relatives reject, asserting he sought asylum and possessed valid work authorization. The organization did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Pirela previously played briefly as a catcher in the Texas Rangers' minor-league system.