Major League Baseball kicked off its 2025 season with outstanding performances by Mexican players, including Jonathan Aranda and Andrés Muñoz.
The season began with a notable Mexican representation. Of the 32 Mexican players invited to training camp, 17 were selected to be part of the Opening Day roster. Among them were Ramón Urías (Baltimore Orioles), Isaac Paredes (Houston Astros), Alejandro Kirk (Toronto Blue Jays), Luis Urías (Oakland Athletics) and Manuel Rodríguez (Tampa Bay Rays).
A historic debut
Tijuana native Jonathan Aranda, in his fourth season with the Tampa Bay Rays, experienced his first Opening Day as part of the starting roster.
In the game against the Colorado Rockies, Aranda entered as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning, with runners on second and third base and no outs.
The season began with a notable Mexican representation
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Trailing 0-2, Jonathan Aranda hit a sacrifice fly to right field in foul territory, allowing Brandon Lowe to score and advancing Junior Caminero to third base.
With this action, Aranda became the third Mexican in MLB history to produce a run in his first at-bat on Opening Day.
He joined Mario Mendoza (1976) and Guillermo Velásquez (1993).
Record-equaling salvage
Buzzy
Meanwhile, Sinaloa right-handed pitcher Andrés Muñoz, of the Seattle Mariners, earned his second Opening Day save.
In this way, he equaled the all-time record of Mexico’s Vicente Romo.
In the matchup against the Oakland Athletics at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park, Muñoz entered the ninth inning with a 4-2 lead.
After giving up a base on balls to Lawrence Butler, he struck out Brent Rooker and induced a JJ Bleday grounder that resulted in a double play grounder, sealing the win for the Mariners.
Andres Munoz’s first Opening Day save came on March 30, 2023, in a 3-0 win over the Cleveland Guardians.
On that occasion, he pitched one inning, allowing two hits.
Performances by other Mexicans
Ramón Urías: In his fifth Opening Day with the Orioles, he went 4-0.
Isaac Paredes: In his third Opening Day with the Astros, he batted 3-0, took a base on balls and scored a run.
Alejandro Kirk: He participated in his fourth Opening Day with the Blue Jays, connecting a hit in four at-bats.
He broke a streak of three consecutive games producing runs on Opening Days, a feat no other Mexican player has accomplished in his first three MLB starts.
Jonathan Aranda and Andres Muñoz. stood out among the other Mexicans.
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