When the Arizona Diamondbacks depart for Monterrey, Mexico, on Friday for a two-game series against the Colorado Rockies, it will mark the franchise’s 11th trip south of the of the border, more than any other franchise in Major League history. Among the players on the split-squad roster headed to Mexico are David Peralta, Eduardo Escobar, Ketel Marte, Steven Souza Jr. and Andrew Chafin. A full roster will be announced later this week.

“We are fortunate to have a huge following in Hermosillo and the state of Sonora, but we also want to be seen as Mexico’s team,” said D-backs President & CEO Derrick Hall, who sits on MLB’s international committee. “Our relationships with our friends in Mexico is incredibly important to us and we will continue to raise our hands to volunteer every time Major League Baseball looks to play games in Mexico and around the globe, as we know that is how we can grow both the game and our brand.”

Arizona returns to Mexico after appearing in 10 exhibition games from 1998-2015, all played in Hermosillo. The D-backs have played in Sonora’s capital city against the Brewers (1998, '99), Angels (2000), A's ('01), Padres ('02), Royals ('03), White Sox ('08), Team Mexico in advance of the World Baseball Classic (2009) and Rockies ('10, '15).

The D-backs hosted the World Baseball Classic at Chase Field twice (2006, ‘13) and Mexican League teams three times, including matchups against the Sultanes of Monterrey in 2008 and 2011. In addition, the D-backs have faced Team Mexico during Spring Training on three occasions (2006, ’09, ‘13).

Since the organization’s inception, the D-backs have traveled regularly to Mexico. Arizona executives have made over a dozen trips in the past five years including official state visits to Mexico City and Guadalajara with various Valley dignitaries and elected officials on a trade and protocol visit. The D-backs have established a working relationship with La Liga Mexicana del Pacífico (Mexican Pacific Winter League) and its 10 teams. Executives, employees and mascots from each have been invited and been a part of D-backs Hispanic Heritage Day celebration for the past three seasons with a strong presence at pregame festivals and throughout that day’s game. Members of the D-backs front office have been invited to visit LMP’s offices in Mexico to share best practices.

Later this month, the D-backs will serve as the sponsor for the fifth annual half marathon in Hermosillo, marking the second time the team has participated in that event (also: 2016).

Erubiel Durazo, who ranks fourth all-time in home runs among Mexico-born Major Leaguers, serves as Special Advisor on Mexico to Hall and will be part of the contingent to Monterrey. Durazo played for the Sultanes de Monterrey in 1997-98 before being signed by the D-backs and becoming a member of the 2001 World Series champions. He also played for the Sultanes from 2007-09.

Fellow 2001 World Series champion Luis Gonzalez will also make the trip as an ambassador, following countless trips to Mexico since joining the front office in 2009. During each of the past two years, Gonzalez has hosted a charity golf tournament in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, alongside several former D-backs players and hosted youth clinics in Hermosillo.  

The two-game series will be carried locally in Mexico on Televisa and in Arizona on Univision Deportes Radio 105.1 FM. Oscar Soria, one of the most renowned baseball broadcasters throughout the country, will handle play-by-play duties alongside his analyst for the past six years at the D-backs, Rodrigo Lopez. Lopez is one of the most distinguished Mexican pitchers in baseball history, ranking seventh all-time in victories among his fellow countrymen. He pitched for the D-backs in 2010.

MLB will play six games in Monterrey, Mexico, this season with the D-backs-Rockies (March 9-10), Reds-Cardinals (April 13-14) and Angels-Astros (May 4-5) all taking place at Estadio de Beisbol Monterrey.