For Tigers, DR series will be emotional -- and a good test

The last time Tigers outfielder Wenceel Pérez took the field at Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal, he was a teenager trying out for Major League clubs. It’s where the Tigers scouted the then-shortstop, and where his path to Detroit began.

When he takes his spot in the outfield on Tuesday in front of about two dozen friends and family, it’s going to be an emotional moment. Not only will he be playing in his home country, he’ll be playing against the best players his country has to offer, the Dominican Republic team that will compete in the World Baseball Classic.

“I think it's going to be one of my top moments in baseball, representing the Tigers in the D.R.,” Pérez said Monday morning before the Tigers contingent flew to Santo Domingo. “It's going to be an honor for me. It never really passed my mind to play with the Tigers uniform in the D.R., so it's going to be amazing to be there, singing the anthem.”

It’s all for a worthy cause. The series is in memory of the victims from the Jet Set night club tragedy in Santo Domingo. Major League Baseball will make a donation to the Dominican Red Cross as part of the event, with a pregame ceremony that includes MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.

“I think the life experience is really cool for all of us to go and play in a beautiful country that loves baseball,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “It’s a different trip, but it’s a heightened, more enjoyable trip than the grind of the day to day of spring.”

For Tigers like Pérez and catching prospect Thayron Liranzo, the two-game series is an emotional homecoming, a chance for some family members to see them play in a Major League uniform for the first time.

“I think this is very important to us and the country, too, that we are playing big games there,” Pérez said. “There's a lot of attraction from players in D.R. I think for the kids, for the community, it's going to be awesome. They'll be able to see a baseball team from the United States and then see the team that will compete in the WBC.”

Framber Valdez won’t be pitching there, having just made his Tigers debut Monday against Atlanta at Joker Marchant Stadium, but he’ll be there in the dugout.

“It’s exciting. I’m happy for both teams,” Valdez said through translator Carla Diaz. “It’s going to be great to see the Tigers have that experience, but also just have fun, hang out with both sides, see some old friends and just enjoy the experience overall.”

For others, like All-Star Riley Greene, it’s a chance to experience the fervor of baseball in the Dominican for the first time, and an opportunity to test themselves in the middle of Spring Training against some of the best players in the Major Leagues.

“It's literally an All-Star team,” Greene said. "The best of the best players are going to be in one spot.”

That trendy phrase, Detroit vs. Everybody? It could feel like Detroit against the Dominican Republic.

“I mean, it might feel not like a playoff game, but somewhat like a playoff,” Greene said. “It's going to be loud and rowdy. I mean, [it’s] the actual Dominican Republic team, and we're playing in the Dominican Republic. There's going to be a lot of people there, and they love their country. It's going to be fun.”

It’s also a good way to break up the routine of Spring Training around the midway point of camp with an experience.

“It's a good change of scenery,” Greene said. “Get out, play some games on the road, get on a flight. I think it's going to be great. I'm excited.”

Of course, Team Dominican Republic is stacked. The infield includes All-Star sluggers Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Manny Machado, Junior Caminero and Jeremy Peña. The outfield features Juan Soto, Julio Rodríguez, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Oneil Cruz. Slugging Marlins catcher Agustín Ramírez is behind the plate.

It’ll be a challenge for Tigers right-hander Ty Madden, who starts Tuesday night’s series opener, and Burch Smith, who leads off a bullpen game on Wednesday afternoon. If that’s not formidable enough, former National League Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara and last year’s NL Cy Young runner-up Cristopher Sánchez lead a pitching staff that includes former All-Star closers Carlos Estévez, Camilo Doval and Gregory Soto (a former Tiger).

The Tigers are bringing many of their Major Leaguers, including Greene, Javier Báez, Spencer Torkelson, Colt Keith and Jake Rogers, along with top prospects Kevin McGonigle and Max Clark.