Mets, Yanks pitch in to help

Dominican Yankees and Mets stars are working with Pedro Martinez to respond to the coronavirus pandemic in their homeland.

Yankees studs Gary Sanchez and Luis Severino and Mets' relief ace Dellin Betances — who was born in Washington Heights to Dominican parents — teamed up with the Pedro Martinez Foundation, the Hall of Famer's charitable organization. The coalition which includes 40 current and former major leaguers, including superstars like Martinez' Red Sox teammate David Ortiz and Nationals wunderkind Juan Soto, has raised more than $550,000 toward essential supplies, personal protective equipment and food for the Dominican Republic.

"The Dominican Republic has always been my home, and right now it truly needs our help. Being supported in this effort by so many of my fellow players is an honor," Martinez told ESPN. "These are people without the most basic needs, and we are blessed to be in a position to help."

With more than 8,400 confirmed cases and 354 deaths so far, the Caribbean nation has been hit hard by the pandemic. The nation is also Major League Baseball's leading feeder of international talent. ESPN notes that in 2019, Dominican-born players comprised 40.6 percent of all internationally born players on opening day rosters in 2019 and 102 players on opening day rosters — both records.

According to Martinez, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred pledged the league's support to his foundation's initiative. Per ESPN sources, the league and the MLB Players Association will make a joint donation to the relief efforts in the Dominican Republic.

The three-time Cy Young winner also shared that Manfred assured him that "we will have baseball this year."