Yanks mark calendar for Mexico trip in March

Shortly after word of the Yankees’ upcoming trip to Mexico got out, Jose Trevino received a text from his uncle.

“He’s like, ‘Hey, is this for real? Is this really happening?’” Trevino recalled last weekend at Pinstripe Pride, an autograph signing event at New Jersey’s American Dream mall. “And I was like, ‘Yeah, dude, I might need a translator. You can come with me.’ So that’s an exciting thing for Mexico, for the Yankees. I think it’s gonna be awesome.”

The Yankees will play two exhibition games against the Diablos Rojos del México at Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium in Mexico City on March 24 and 25. Those contests — along with previously scheduled spring training games in Florida on the same days — will close out the Yankees’ exhibition schedule before they open their season in Houston on March 28.

The Yankees and Diablos Rojos own the most titles in their respective leagues. The Bombers have won 27 championships, while the Diablos Rojos have won 16 titles in the Mexican Baseball League.

It’s too soon to know which Yankees players will make the trip to Mexico City. However, Trevino is one of a few Yankees with Mexican roots. The group also includes Alex Verdugo and Victor González.

“That’s gonna be sweet, man,” Trevino said. “I mean, that’s gonna be something I would definitely love to attend.”

A native and resident of Corpus Christi, Texas, Trevino grew up on the Gulf of Mexico and near the Mexican-United States border. While Trevino said he hasn’t visited Mexico much, he knows the country loves baseball and will welcome the Yankees with open arms.

“I know the baseball culture down there is unbelievable,” Trevino said. “It’s gonna be crazy.”

The Yankees have not played in Mexico City since 1968. Back then, a squad led by Mickey Mantle visited for two exhibition games, which were also played against the Diablos Rojos. The two clubs split the series.