The Caribbean Series kicks off this weekend in Mexico, where MLB stars such as Yadier Molina and Robinson Cano will play in a stadium that will be allowed to be filled to about half of its capacity.

The latest edition of the Caribbean Series began Sunday in Mazatlan, with established big league stars such asYadier Molinaand Robinson Cano in towdespite Mexico's strugglesto control the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Series, first played in 1949, this year pits the champions of six Latin American winter baseball leagues. Organizers in Mexico are sidestepping federal recommendations calling for no fans in favor of municipal and Sinaloa state criteria, which allow up to 45% capacity at Mazatlan's Teodoro Mariscal Stadium. Molina, the longtimeSt. Louis Cardinalscatcher and current free agent, highlights Puerto Rico's representative, Criollos de Caguas. It's the second Caribbean Series for the 38-year-old -- a postseason addition to Caguas' lineup -- and first since 2007, when he was on the roster of the Gigantes de Carolina. Also participating in Mazatlan will be Cano, whois suspended for the 2021 MLB seasonafter testing positive a second time for performance-enhancing drugs. Cano, also 38, will suit up for Domincan Republic powerhouse Aguilas Cibaeñas, joined by Cardinals All-Star right-hander and longtime Molina battery mateCarlos Martinez. Dominican entries have won 20 Series titles, more than any other country, and took home the trophy last year with Toros del Este's run. The Series' first phase is a round-robin format among the six teams, followed by the semifinal doubleheader on Feb. 5 and the championship game on Feb. 6. Watch:ESPN Deportes ESPN Deportes will provide complete coverage and live play-by-play of each Series game. Colombia: Caimanes de Barranquilla Mexico: Tomateros de Culiacan Panama: Federales de Chiriqui Puerto Rico: Criollos de Caguas Dominican Republic: Aguilas Cibaeñas Venezuela: Caribes de Anzoategui 3BJohan Camargo,Atlanta Braves(Dominican Republic); 1BRonald Guzman,Texas Rangers(Dominican Republic); LFHarold Ramirez,Miami Marlins(Colombia) Dominican Republic: 20 (1971, 1973, 1977, 1980, 1985, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2020) Puerto Rico: 16 (1951, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1978, 1983, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2000, 2017, 2018) Mexico9 (1976, 1986, 1996, 2002, 2005, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016) Cuba: 8 (1949, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 2015) Venezuela: 7 (1970, 1979, 1982, 1984, 1989, 2006, 2009) Panama: 2 (1950, 2019) Information from ESPN Deportes' Hector Cruz was used in this report.