Mexican pitcher Humberto Cruz's career suffered a severe setback after the San Diego Padres prospect lost his work visa due to a period of ten years after pleading guilty to a federal misdemeanor related to the transportation of undocumented immigrants within the United States.

The 19-year-old pitcher, considered the fifth best prospect in the organization according to MLB.com, accepted his responsibility in November 2025 as p art of a judicial agreement that allowed to dismiss a more serious charge initially presented by federal prosecutors in Arizona, reported Univisión.

According to court documents, Cruz was arrested on October 28, 2025 near Lukeville, Arizona, while He was recovering from elbow surgery at the Padres spring training complex in Peoria.

The investigation began when Border Patrol agents observed a BMW SUV 2020 model truck, with mex plates icanas, moving south on State Route 85 and later returning north with two passengers onboard.

After stopping the vehicle, the agents found two Mexican citizens without immigration documents. One of them had been deported just four days before, according to the complaint filed before a federal court.

The document also states that Cruz waived his Miranda rights and acknowledged having responded to an advertisement published on social media that offered “easy money”. According to the indictment, the player expected to receive a thousand dollars for each person transported.

“When he was asked why he decided to transport illegal immigrants, he stated that he needed the extra money because he doesn't work afternoons,” the legal file indicates.

Parents confirm loss of work visa

The federal authorities initially charged the player with transporting immigrants for profit, considered a serious crime, in addition to a lesser charge for complicity in the illegal entry of persons into the country.

Ultimately, Cruz pleaded guilty only to the misdemeanor and received a 30-day prison sentence, although he received credit for the time he had already spent in custody.

In the plea agreement signed by the thrower it was also established that, as a Mexican citizen without permanent residence in the United States, his deportation was “a virtual certainty”.

After the judicial process, Cruz voluntarily returned to Mexico. The San Diego Padres placed him on the restricted minor league list on March 13,2026.

The organization confirmed to the San Diego Union-Tribune that the player lost his work visa for a decade. However, the club indicated that the pitcher could request restitution after five years if he can demonstrate good conduct.

Humberto Cruz had signed with the Padres in February 2024 after receiving a bonus of $750,000 dollars. El derecho, originally from Monterrey and trained in the Red Devils' structure, he was already ruled out for the 2026 season due to elbow surgery to which he subjected in August 2025.