Dominican series with Red Sox should be star turn for Rays’ Jose Siri
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic —The Red Sox will roll out two of baseball’s biggest Dominican stars for Saturday’s opener of the two-game exhibition series with the Rays, as Hall of Famers Pedro Martinez and David Ortiz will throw out ceremonial first pitches.
The Rays invited the most successful Dominican player in their history, Carlos Pena, but he was unable to join them on the trip due to a scheduling conflict.
With Wander Franco away from the team and his future uncertain due to accusations of a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl, the Rays’ current most popular Dominican player is centerfielder Jose Siri.
And he is one who enjoys the spotlight, which will include catching one of the first pitches (likely joined by Amed Rosario) and doing a pregame news conference.
Siri, a native of Sabana Grande de Boya, said he is excited for the opportunity to play in front of family and friends.
“Just going to enjoy it and have fun with the fans,” he said via team interpreter Manny Navarro. “It’ll be really good to see everybody and see them watching us as well.”
Siri did joke that he will use the series’ platform to break out some new designs with his El Rayo nickname.
Ceremonially speaking
MLB has tapped several Dominican entertainers to be part of the weekend.
Global recording artist Natti Natasha is serving as series ambassador. Manny Cruz and Zacarias Ferreira will perform the Dominican anthem, La Coral Mixta Domínico-Americana the U.S. anthem. Singer El Alfa will throw out the first pitch on Sunday.
There will be a postgame fireworks show on Saturday and a DJ performance Sunday.
Dignitaries expected to attend include Dominican president Luis Abinader, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and players union chief Tony Clark.
Ready to roll
The Rays included all of their Dominican-born players and many of their other Latin American players on the 30-man roster for the two-game series. They allowed some veterans the choice of making the trip or staying home.
Here is their 30-man roster:
Pitchers: Trevor Bridgen, Aaron Civale, Yoniel Curet, Carlos Garcia, Michael Gomez, Antonio Jimenez, Enmanuel Mejia, Erasmo Ramirez, Manuel Rodriguez, Justin Sterner, Edwin Uceta, Naoyuki Uwasawa, Jacob Waguespack
Catchers: Logan Driscoll, Francisco Mejia, Rene Pinto
Infielders: Jonathan Aranda, Osleivis Basabe, Jose Caballero, Junior Caminero, Curtis Mead, Isaac Paredes, Amed Rosario, Ronny Simon
Outfielders: Randy Arozarena, Jonny DeLuca, Niko Hulsizer, Richie Palacios, Harold Ramirez, Jose Siri
Miscellany
Curet will start Saturday for the Rays and Aaron Civale on Sunday, with Naoyuki Uwasawa working in relief. … MLB Network will pick up the Red Sox’s TV feed and show both games live. … The Rays will use the first-base dugout and be the visiting team Saturday and the home team Sunday. … Jerseys and caps will have a special patch. … Several Rays players will take part in an MLB Play Ball clinic with Dominican kids on Saturday morning. …. The Rays also are offering a tour of their Dominican academy to members of the traveling party. .... The team invited some of its sponsors on the trip, with a planned reception and several outings before the games. ... The four team buses and two vans received a police escort for the near-hour-long trip from the airport to the hotel.
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