HOUSTON – The Houston Astros will play two exhibition games in Mexico City in March.
The announcement was made Wednesday morning. The Astros will face the San Diego Padres on March 26-27 at Estadio Fray Nano, home of the Diablos Rojos de Mexico of the Mexican Baseball League.
Astros All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve, general manager Jeff Luhnow and mascot Orbit took part in the press conference in Mexico City.
"I'm thrilled that the Astros will have the opportunity to play games in Mexico," said Luhnow, who was born and raised in Mexico. "The Mexican people have a great love for baseball, so I know these games will be very well-received."
The Mexico City Series will mark the return to Mexico for the Astros, who also appeared in the last MLB games played in Mexico City in 2004. Houston has also participated in international spring training contests in the Dominican Republic (2000) and Venezuela (2001).
The Astros and Padres will play the exhibition games in Mexico City with split squads, as both clubs will also have spring training games at their respective Florida and Arizona locations in March.