Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee’s return to the Bay Area for this weekend’s FanFest tour stop hit a snag at Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday evening, with the South Korean native being temporarily detained by Customs and Border Patrol officials.
A Giants source confirmed around 6:30 p.m. that Lee had been released from customs officials at LAX.
Lee is scheduled to appear at City Center Bishop Ranch in San Ramon on Saturday, along with new Giants manager Tony Vitello and pitchers Logan Webb, Spencer Bivens, Erik Miller, Landon Roupp, and mascot Lou Seal.
“Earlier today, Jung Hoo Lee experienced a brief travel issue at LAX due to a paperwork issue,” the Giants said in a statement Wednesday night. “The matter was quickly clarified with the appropriate authorities, and he has since been cleared to continue his travel. We appreciate the professionalism of all parties involved.”
Details of Lee’s detainment were first reported by The SF Standard.
Foreign players have long endured delays arriving for spring training because of visa issues, but Lee’s situation drew more attention because recently some foreign athletes have been denied entry into the U.S. as a result of the Trump administration’s anti-immigration policies.
A group of Ethiopian runners were reportedly denied entry earlier this month as they sought to compete in the World Athletics Cross Country Championships. Last July, a Venezuelan teen baseball team was denied entry for the Little League’s Senior Baseball World Series. Two weeks later, a team from the same country was allowed to enter the U.S. to play in the Little League World Series.
Some counties have expressed concerns for their athletes ahead of the men’s World Cup soccer tournament being played in North America this summer.
Before his flight to the United States on Wednesday, Lee met with reporters in South Korea and confirmed his plans to represent his country in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
He told reporters, “I will participate in the WBC. A decision was made around early January, but I couldn’t speak about it then due to a team event. I will do my best to bridge the gap between veterans and younger players in the national team. Representing the team is an honor, and I will strive to achieve good results in (the first-round games in) Tokyo.”
Earlier this month, Lee gave a Giants contingent that included president of baseball operations Buster Posey, new manager Tony Vitiello and CEO Larry Baer a tour of his home country while they were promoting the Giants in the region.
Lee is entering his third season with the Giants after signing a $113 million, six-year contract in December 2023. He missed most of his rookie season after suffering a shoulder injury, but last season hit .266 with eight home runs, 55 RBIs and 149 hits in 150 games.
A request for comment by CBP was not immediately returned.