When the Los Angeles Dodgers fly south to participate in the Mexico Series against the San Diego Padres, they’ll do so with natives of the country, Julio Urias and Fernando Valenzuela, joining them.
Urias will make appearances on behalf of the club, and Valenzuela is due to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Estadio de Béisbol Monterrey before Friday’s series opener. Valenzuela last threw the first pitch before Game 2 of the 2017 World Series, at the behest of Vin Scully.
Urias remains on the disabled list as he recovers from last June’s shoulder surgery. The Dodgers remain hopeful the young southpaw will contribute at some point during the second half of the season.
Valenzuela is a celebrated figure in Mexico, both for his success with the Dodgers and his involvement in the purchase of the Quintana Roo Tigres to keep the team in the Mexican Baseball League.
While Urias and Valenzuela won’t represent the Dodgers on the field during the Mexico Series, the timing of injuries have prevented Alex Verdugo with that opportunity. Verdugo played for Team Mexico in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
Meanwhile, Yasiel Puig, who established residency in the country after defecting from Cuba, will also be with the Dodgers but is on the 10-day disabled list.
