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The Diamondbacks are set to play two games against the Padres in Mexico City, where they are not expected to be the crowd favorites. Players hope to win over local fans during the series.
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MEXICO CITY — The Diamondbacks are technically the home team for the two games they will play against the San Diego Padres here at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú, but they aren’t expected to be the crowd favorite.
Center fielder Alek Thomas said before the game on Saturday, April 25, that he knows Mexico is filled with some “hardcore Padres fans,” but he hopes the Diamondbacks can change some minds.
“Hopefully we can sway them a little bit to be Diamondbacks fans after this series,” Thomas said. “I’m looking forward to the crowd reaction.”
Either way, the Diamondbacks are expecting a fun atmosphere for the two games in Mexico City.
“I feel like it’s going to be loud,” shortstop Geraldo Perdomo said. “These people are passionate, like our people (Dominicans). You know how the Latin people are. They are passionate about what they do and what they love. These fans over here, they love baseball.”
The Diamondbacks had an off day on Friday, April 24, with several players saying they walked around the city, visited museums and had excellent meals at local restaurants.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo was part of a group that got to meet Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, which he called “an absolute honor.”
“She was very hospitable, very welcoming and very engaged in having a good baseball conversation,” Lovullo said. “I know the former president (Andrés Manuel López Obrador) was a very big baseball fan and I think she’s trying to become that, as well. The questions she was asking were very engaging.”
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.
The Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Diego Padres are playing two games in Mexico City.
The Diamondbacks are not expected to be fan favorites because Mexico has a strong base of hardcore Padres fans.
Alek Thomas expressed hope that the Diamondbacks can sway local fans to support them, acknowledging the strong Padres fan presence.
Players like Geraldo Perdomo anticipate a loud and passionate atmosphere, reflecting the local love for baseball.

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Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll reacts after striking out against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll reacts after striking out against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.
Arizona Diamondbacks base runner Ketel Marte dives into second on a wild pitch against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.
Arizona Diamondbacks base runner Ketel Marte dives into second on a wild pitch ahead of the tag by Chicago White Sox infielder Colson Montgomery in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Alek Thomas rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Alek Thomas (right) celebrates with third base coach J.R. House as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Alek Thomas celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.
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Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.
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Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.
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Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll reacts after striking out against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.
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Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll reacts after striking out against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.
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Arizona Diamondbacks base runner Ketel Marte dives into second on a wild pitch against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.
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Arizona Diamondbacks base runner Ketel Marte dives into second on a wild pitch ahead of the tag by Chicago White Sox infielder Colson Montgomery in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.
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Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Alek Thomas rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.
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Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Alek Thomas (right) celebrates with third base coach J.R. House as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.
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Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Alek Thomas celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.
While the Padres are likely to have more fans than the Diamondbacks, Thomas has a degree of notoriety among fans here after playing for Team Mexico in each of the past two World Baseball Classics.
“There have been a lot of people that have come up to me, walking around the streets a little bit to dinner, they recognized me, and also at the food truck yesterday as well, people seemed to recognize me,” Thomas said. “I think the Mexican fan base has always been very supportive of me. I really appreciate it.”
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Alek Thomas celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Chase Field in Phoenix, on April 21, 2026.
Thomas said this is his first time playing in Mexico. His mom’s side of the family has Mexican roots.
“My mom is definitely very proud of me,” Thomas said. “I could tell after the games in the WBC that the hugs were a little tighter than they normally are. I could see it on her face that she’s really proud of me. The same goes for my Nana Julia (grandmother), as well. I could tell they were very happy. It was almost like happy tears.”
The Diamondbacks had been hoping to get catcher Gabriel Moreno back from the injured list next week in Milwaukee, but they are now pointing him toward the end of their road trip, which will conclude in Chicago next weekend.
The hope is that Moreno can play in rehab games at Salt River Fields early next week before possibly flying to Chicago on Thursday and returning on Friday.
But it depends on how Moreno feels, and if the club believes he needs more time he might not be back until the start of the next homestand.
Moreno is on the injured list with a mild oblique strain.
Arizona Diamondbacks pinch hitter Gabriel Moreno (14) hits an RBI double during the seventh inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York, on April 9, 2026.
Meanwhile, Lovullo said he will “read and react” based on how the first game here goes on who will play in the second game.
“(Lourdes) Gurriel (Jr.) or Ketel (Marte) will most likely DH or have the game off,” Lovullo said, referring to the Sunday, April 26, series finale. “It will just depend on how they come out of this. I do know how important it is in this altitude, especially this early in the season, to make sure these are rested and strong.”
Marte has a history of hamstring issues when playing in the Denver altitude. The elevation in Mexico City is about 2,000 feet higher than Denver.
Gurriel, meanwhile, only recently returned from the injured list following last year’s major knee surgery.
Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (1-1, 3.51) vs. Padres RHP German Marquez (2-1, 3.86).
At Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú, Mexico City: Gallen is set for his sixth start of the season. He's gone at least five innings in each of the past four. The veteran righty got through 5⅔ innings in his last start on April 18 against Toronto, allowing two runs on nine hits. Gallen is 5-4 with a 3.49 ERA over 15 career starts against the Padres. ... Marquez should be used to pitching at high elevation, having been with the Colorado Rockies for 10 seasons before changing teams. He gave up 23 home runs last season and has surrendered five this season, and any ball in the air in Mexico City is bound to fly farther. Marquez is 6-6 with a 4.62 career ERA against the Diamondbacks in 24 appearances (23 starts).
**Sunday, April 26:**At Mexico City, 1:05 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (1-2, 6.97) vs. Padres RHP Michael King (3-1, 2.28).
**Monday, April 27:**Off.
**Tuesday, April 28:**At Milwaukee, 4:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (1-1, 9.31) vs. Brewers RHP Chad Patrick (1-1, 2.35).
Wednesday, April 29: At Milwaukee, 4:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (2-0, 2.89) vs. Brewers RHP Brandon Sproat (0-1, 6.45)
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks-Padres updates. Who will be fan favorites in Mexico?