For the New York Yankees, their first trip to Mexico in over 50 years is just two exhibition games. But for many Mexican fans and the host team, Diablos Rojos, having the most popular team in the country visit is a dream come true.
The Yankees played in Mexico in 1968, splitting a two-game exhibition series at the extinct Parque Delta.
The management of the Diablos Rojos expressed their hope to have the Yankees visit again after 1968, and it finally became a reality when Omar Minaya, a senior adviser for baseball operations with the Yankees, made it happen.
According to Othón Díaz, the president of the team, the friendship between the Diablos owner, Alfredo Harp Helú, and Omar Minaya was pivotal in making the visit happen. They conveyed how much it would mean to them to have the Yankees visit, and the Yankees agreed.
The Major League Baseball office in Mexico stated that the Yankees are the most popular team in Mexico, followed by the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox.
Díaz mentioned that hosting a MLB regular-season series between the San Diego Padres and the San Francisco Giants improved their chances of hosting the Yankees, as it demonstrated that Mexico City and the Diablos Rojos have a suitable stadium.
The $160 million Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium, which opened in March 2019, has a seating capacity of 20,000.
Díaz emphasized the importance of having the stadium, noting that significant events have occurred there since its opening, such as the visit of the San Diego Padres and the San Francisco Giants, as well as the upcoming Yankees series.
Despite its small size compared to MLB standards, the stadium is known for its festive atmosphere. During the series with the Giants last year, Padres players wore Mexican wrestling masks and smashed a Buzz Lightyear piñata in the dugout after the games.
Yankees reliever Victor Gonzalez, who is Mexican, is thrilled at the opportunity to pitch in Mexico in front of his family, expressing how incredible it will be for him to wear the Yankee pinstripes at home.
Giancarlo Stanton, Anthony Volpe, Jose Trevino, and Oswaldo Cabrera are included in the Yankees' travel roster for the games in Mexico, but none of the projected starting rotation members are listed.
Tickets for the games sold out within an hour a month ago, and resale prices range from $130 in the bleachers to $2,000 behind home plate.
Armando Arce, a 45-year-old businessman, believes the price of the tickets is reasonable, considering the rare opportunity to watch his two favorite teams play against each other.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone anticipates that Anthony Rizzo will be ready for the season opener in Houston on Thursday, although DJ LeMahieu's status remains uncertain. Rizzo missed his second game on Saturday due to lat soreness.
Boone told reporters in Tampa that after speaking with him, the player felt like he would be able to play today.
Boone didn’t rule out the possibility of Rizzo playing in the Yankees’ last spring training game in Florida on Monday.
LeMahieu, who hasn’t played since injuring his foot on March 16, continued running, fielding, and hitting on Saturday.
“He’s still feeling it pretty good,” Boone said. “I do think it’s improving every day. I do feel like he’s moving in the right direction, but will it be in time we’ll see.” Oswaldo Cabrera likely would fill in for LeMahieu at third.
HARPER RETURNS
Slugger Bryce Harper returned to the Philadelphia Phillies’ lineup Saturday against the Yankees after missing a week because of a sore lower back.
The first baseman drove in his first run of the spring with a 394-foot first-inning sacrifice fly off left-hander Carlos Rodón that center fielder Aaron Judge caught on the warning track, scoring Whit Merrifield.
Shortstop Kevin Smith made a leaping catch on an 101.9 mph liner in the third. Harper struck out swinging in the fifth against lefty reliever Nick Ramirez.
After taking part in a simulated game, Harper played four innings of defense and is hitting .208 (5 for 23) overall this spring.
After 11 seasons as an outfielder, Harper moved to first base last year when he returned from surgery. He started playing first on July 21 and had 36 regular-season starts there, plus 13 in the playoffs.
Harper was slowed by back spasms last summer, coming out of an Aug. 10 game against Washington, then making only six starts in the field over the next 21 games.
Philadelphia opens the regular season on Thursday at home against Atlanta.
METS SIGN MARTINEZ
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — J.D. Martinez and the New York Mets finalized a $12 million, one-year contract.
The 36-year-old designated hitter gets a $2.5 million signing bonus, $2 million this year and $7.5 million in deferred money, payable in $1.5 million installments each Jan. 15 from 2034-38.
To open a roster spot, the Mets designated right-hander Phil Bickford for assignment.
Martinez hit .271 with 33 homers and 103 RBIs in just 113 games last year for the Los Angeles Dodgers, providing solid value on the one-year, $10 million contract he signed before the season. Back and groin problems limited his availability, but he added a National League All-Star selection to the five times he made it in the AL with Detroit and Boston.
He slots into the middle of the Mets’ lineup and gives them another power hitter to pair with Pete Alonso. Both can become free agents after this season.
