Giants’ Jung Hoo Lee detained at Los Angeles airport over documents

San Francisco Giants center fielder Jung Hoo Lee was held up by Customs and Border Protection in Los Angeles on Wednesday after forgetting documents.

He was delayed for about an hour after arriving at Los Angeles International Airport on a flight from South Korea, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.  Lee was arriving from his home in South Korea ahead of the start of spring training next month.

Customs agents detained Lee, 27, for “forgetting documents in Korea,” the office of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose California district encompasses most of San Francisco, said in a statement, according to KCBS-TV.

Prior to Lee’s release, Ms. Pelosi’s office said it was working with the Giants and federal and congressional liaisons to get him out of Customs and Border Protection custody.

His agent, Scott Boras, told the Chronicle that the matter was “not anything political or anything like that.”

“Earlier today, Jung Hoo Lee experienced a brief travel issue at LAX due to a paperwork issue,” the Giants said in a statement. “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.”

Giants general manager Zack Minasian further stressed that Lee was not carrying any contraband, according to The Athletic.

The 27-year-old Lee signed a $113 million, six-year contract with the Giants in December 2023. He missed most of his rookie season in 2024 after dislocating his left shoulder, crashing into an outfield wall and needing season-ending surgery.

This past year, Lee batted .266 with eight home runs and 55 RBIs with 10 stolen bases over 150 games — 144 of those being starts in center field.

This article is based in part on wire service reports.