ORLANDO, Fla. -- For the second time in six years, the Tigers will head to the Dominican Republic for part of their Spring Training. This time, they’ll play two games against the vaunted Dominican team as it prepares for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
The games will be played on March 3-4 at Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal in Santo Domingo, the same site where the Tigers faced the Twins for a Grapefruit League game in March 2020. Other MLB clubs have played there in recent years, including the Red Sox and Rays in 2024, the Red Sox and Astros in 2000, the Mets and Expos in 1999, the Phillies and Cardinals in 1978 and the Dodgers and Mets in 1977. However, this marks the first time that the Dominican National Team will host a Major League club.
The two-game series will be played in memory of the victims from the Jet Set nightclub tragedy in Santo Domingo last April. MLB will make a donation to the Dominican Red Cross as part of the event.
“The tragedy in the Dominican Republic claimed the lives of more than 200 people and impacted countless others, including many members of the baseball family,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a release announcing the series. “Playing these two games gives us an opportunity to honor the lives of those tragically lost last April and raise funds for the Dominican Red Cross in their memory.”
The Tigers already have a World Baseball Classic exhibition scheduled against Panama on March 4 at Joker Marchant Stadium. This, however, provides an opportunity to make an impact off the field as well as on it.
“All of us with the Tigers are honored to compete against the Dominican Republic National Team on its home soil,” Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris said in a release. “It's a unique and meaningful opportunity to play on a global stage in memory of those who lost their lives in a horrific tragedy nearly a year ago. We thank Major League Baseball, [Dominican Republic] President Luis Abinader, Nelson Cruz and everyone else involved for arranging the series, and inviting us to play a part in it. We hope these games provide a sense of joy and happiness to the community, while raising funds for the Red Cross in support of an important cause.”
The Tigers are coming off back-to-back postseason berths thanks in part to the contributions of Dominican native and homegrown Tiger Wenceel Pérez, who was born in Azua. Catching prospect Thayron Liranzo was born and raised in San Francisco de Macoris. The Tigers have made inroads in the Dominican Republic for international signings in recent years, including Santo Domingo native and Tigers No. 7 prospect Cris Rodriguez for a franchise-record $3,197,500 signing bonus as part of their most recent class.