Overview
- MLB announced the games at the Winter Meetings in Orlando, with Commissioner Rob Manfred joined by Dominican GM Nelson Cruz and manager Albert Pujols.
- Both contests will be played at Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal in Santo Domingo.
- MLB and promoter UEPA pledged contributions to the Dominican Red Cross as part of the events dedicated to the April 8 tragedy at the Jet Set club.
- Detroit will operate a split squad on March 4 to keep a group in Lakeland for an exhibition against Panama.
- The exhibitions serve as tune-ups before the Dominican Republic opens the World Baseball Classic on March 6 against Nicaragua, in what MLB says is the first time the national team will host an MLB club.