Padres prospect Humberto Cruz self-deports to Mexico after smuggling plea

7 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 9

The 19-year-old pitcher pleaded guilty in Arizona to receiving money to transport noncitizens after authorities found two undocumented passengers in his car near Lukeville.
He admitted answering an ad offering $1,000 per person for “easy money”, received a 30-day sentence with time served, and had a felony-for-profit transport charge dropped.
The Padres put Cruz on the restricted list in March; the club said he will likely lose his US work visa for 10 years, though he may reapply after five.

After surgery and deportation, can this million-dollar pitching prospect ever make it back to the MLB?

Why would a top prospect with a legal visa risk his entire career for a $1,000 human smuggling gig?