San Diego Padres minor-league coach released from ICE custody

Oswaldo José Pirela was detained at El Paso International Airport as he was traveling for work for the team, his family and DHS said.

SAN DIEGO — San Diego Padres minor-league catching coordinator Oswaldo José Pirela has been released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention on bond, the team said Tuesday.

Pirela, a former Texas Rangers minor-league player from Venezuela, was detained Aug. 16 at El Paso International Airport in Texas as he was traveling for work for the Padres, according to the Department of Homeland Security and his family.

“We are pleased that Oswaldo Pirela has been released on bond and reunited with his family,” Padres spokesperson Craig Hughner said in a statement Tuesday. He added that the team would have no further comment for now out of respect for Pirela’s privacy “and the ongoing matter.”

DHS said Pirela entered the country legally in 2014, was granted permission to remain until early 2018 and overstayed.

It said proceedings to remove him from the country remain on track.