MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced that the Dominican Republic national team will play two exhibition games against the Detroit Tigers on March 3 and 4 in Santo Domingo. The events honor the victims of an April nightclub roof collapse that killed over 200 people, including former MLB reliever Octavio Dotel, and will raise funds for the Dominican Red Cross. The games serve as a tune-up for the Dominican team's 2026 World Baseball Classic opener.
The exhibition series at Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal comes nearly a year after the tragic roof collapse at Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, which claimed more than 200 lives and affected many in the baseball community. Among the victims was Octavio Dotel, a former MLB reliever. Dominican national team general manager Nelson Cruz, a seven-time All-Star during his 19-year MLB career, lost his sister in the incident. The idea for the games originated from a conversation between Cruz and New York Yankees special assistant Omar Minaya.
"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," Manfred said in a news release. "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."
Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris expressed gratitude for the opportunity. "All of us with the Tigers are honored to compete against the Dominican Republic National Team on its home soil," Harris said. "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."
The games mark the first time the Dominican national team has hosted an MLB franchise at the stadium, which has previously staged exhibitions like the Rays-Red Sox series in March 2024. For the Tigers, outfielder Wenceel Perez, who hit 13 home runs with a .984 fielding percentage in 100 games last season, represents a key Dominican connection on the roster.
The Dominican team, managed by Albert Pujols, recently added Rays third baseman Junior Caminero, a 22-year-old Santo Domingo native who hit 45 home runs in 2025, tying for sixth in MLB. These exhibitions precede Pool play starting March 5, with the Dominican Republic facing Nicaragua on March 6. The WBC final is set for March 17 at loanDepot park in Miami. The nation won the 2013 tournament and finished third in Pool D in 2023.