Ibanez went 2-for-4 with a double, a run scored and two RBI in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Rockies.
Ibanez helped lead the Tigers to an easy 10-2 win then began the nightcap on the bench, though he did enter the contest late as a defensive replacement. The utility player has a solid .259 batting average and .746 OPS to go along with two home runs and 12 RBI in 25 games, but his inconsistent playing time limits his overall fantasy appeal.
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Tigers' Andy Ibanez: Goes deep in win
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Ibanez went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Friday's 7-3 win over the Royals.
Ibanez launched his second home run of the season in the fourth inning, but he was then lifted for a pinch hitter in the fifth. The utility player is struggling a bit to begin the year with a .171 average and .627 OPS across 13 games. Ibanez can provide some fantasy value in spurts, though his role in Detroit comes with plenty of day-to-day volatility.
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Tigers' Andy Ibanez: Records two hits, two RBI in win
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Ibanez went 2-for-5 with a double, a run scored and two RBI in Monday's 9-1 win over the Brewers.
This was the first multi-hit game of the year for Ibanez, who's been scuffling a bit overall with a .185 batting average. The utility player batted .241 during the regular season for the Tigers in 2024 and .264 the year prior, so he should be able to continue to trend upward in that category.
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Tigers' Andy Ibanez: Will be short side of 3B platoon
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Ibanez is slated to open the season as the Tigers' short-side platoon partner with Zach McKinstry at third base, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Jace Jung was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Monday, setting up an uninspiring McKinstry/Ibanez platoon at the hot corner, at least until Matt Vierling (shoulder) is ready. Ibanez slashed .292/.357/.445 against left-handed pitching last season.
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Tigers' Andy Ibanez: Should help fill void at third
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With the Tigers missing out on Alex Bregman in free agency, Ibanez is among several returning players who could see time at third base, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
Had Bregman joined the Tigers, he likely would have played almost every day at the hot corner, which would have relegated Ibanez to more of a bench role. However, Detroit now seems primed to use several players at the position. Matt Vierling is likely the top option, but he can also play in the outfield. When Vierling is not at third, lefty-hitting Jace Jung is a natural platoon candidate. Ibanez should also work into the mix, though he has the versatility to play across the diamond and in the outfield.
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Tigers' Andy Ibanez: Agrees to terms for 2025
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Ibanez agreed to a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Tigers on Friday to avoid arbitration, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.
Ibanez took a step back during his second year with the Tigers, slashing .241/.295/.357 over 244 plate appearances during the regular season. However, the Tigers have deemed his performance worthy of a $633,900 raise from his previous salary. He's expected to remain in a utility role next year.
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Tigers' Andy Ibanez: Hits key home run off bench
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Ibanez went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and three total RBI in Sunday's 9-4 win over the White Sox.
Ibanez appeared as a pinch hitter in the fifth inning, then went deep in the seventh, giving him five home runs this season. The 31-year-old utility player has a respectable .261 average and .708 OPS, but with youngsters Spencer Torkelson, Colt Keith and Jace Jung now seeing regular playing time in Detroit's infield, Ibanez may see his role shrink in coming weeks. At the very least, Ibanez is an interesting bargain option in daily leagues whenever he's in the lineup.
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Tigers' Andy Ibanez: Hitting second against lefty
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Ibanez will start in left field and bat second in Thursday's game against the Cubs.
With a southpaw (Justin Steele) on the hill for the Cubs, the Tigers are giving three of their lefty-hitting regulars (Riley Greene, Parker Meadows and Trey Sweeney) the afternoon off while opening up a prominent spot in the lineup for Ibanez. The 31-year-old utility man should remain a fixture in the lineup versus lefties for the rest of the season, as he's produced a. 958 OPS in those matchups so far in 2024.
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Tigers' Andy Ibanez: Two hits, two RBI in win
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Ibanez went 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored in Saturday's 7-3 win over the Blue Jays.
Ibanez got the Tigers on the board with an RBI double in the fifth inning and then added an RBI single and scored on a wild pitch in the seventh. While he isn't playing every day, the 31-year-old is hitting a ridiculous .388 with all four of his home runs and 20 of his 23 RBI against left-handed pitching this season.
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Tigers' Andy Ibanez: Leads offense in win
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Ibanez went 2-for-4 with a run scored and two RBI in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Phillies.
Ibanez continued a strong June, as he's now batting .314 this month with six RBI and six runs scored across 15 games. The utility player is batting a solid .284 overall, and while he's not providing a ton of power, he has been a solid bat for the Tigers. Ibanez's biggest question moving forward is playing time, though Detroit figures to find creative ways to get him into the lineup even if he's not locked into a regular starting role.
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Tigers' Andy Ibanez: Late addition to Friday's lineup
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Ibanez will start at second base and bat seventh against the Red Sox on Friday.
Ibanez was initially slated to sit Friday, but he was inserted into the lineup after Mark Canha was scratched due to left hip soreness. Ibanez will go up against Boston right-hander Tanner Houck.
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Tigers' Andy Ibanez: Activated from injured list
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The Tigers activated Ibanez (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday.
Ibanez wound up missing a little more than three weeks of action with a strained left hamstring. The utility player should see some starts for the Tigers against left-handed pitching.
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Tigers' Andy Ibanez: Goes through full workout
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Ibanez (hamstring) went through a full workout at second base Tuesday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
McCosky added that Ibanez didn't appear to be favoring his left hamstring at all. The veteran utility player would appear to be close to beginning a rehab assignment, with a return before the end of the month possible. Once he rejoins the Tigers, most of Ibanez's playing time figures to come against lefties.
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Tigers' Andy Ibanez: Taking batting practice
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Ibanez (hamstring) took batting practice at Comerica Park on Monday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
It's the first time he's taken batting practice on the field since he suffered a left hamstring strain a little over a week ago. Ibanez will head to extended spring training this weekend to continue his rehab before rejoining the Tigers early next week. It's possible he could be activated at that time, although the team has not yet made that determination.
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Tigers' Andy Ibanez: Hitting, doing agility drills
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Ibanez (hamstring) has begun hitting and going through light agility drills, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.
Ibanez is on the injured list with a left hamstring strain which he suffered last weekend, but he's feeling well enough to start incorporating some baseball activities. There's no timeline for his return yet, but he would seem to have a good shot to be back before the end of April.
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Tigers' Andy Ibanez: Lands on IL with strained hamstring
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Ibanez was placed on the 10-day injured list by the Tigers on Monday with a left hamstring strain, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
Ibanez evidently suffered the injury during Sunday's game against the Athletics and will now be sidelined for at least the next week and a half. Wenceel Perez is absorbing his roster spot.
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Tigers' Andy Ibanez: Impressing in camp
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Ibanez has played well this spring and likely has locked up an Opening Day roster spot, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
Ibanez was a pleasant surprise for the Tigers last season and he's carried that over into camp, as he's now popped four home runs in 15 Grapefruit League contests to go along with a .963 OPS. The utility player doesn't have a regular home on the diamond, but if he keeps swinging a hot bat, he may force his way into the lineup more often.
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Tigers' Andy Ibanez: Hits second spring home run
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Ibanez went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.
Ibanez now has two home runs and an even 1.000 OPS across six games this spring. The 30-year-old is competing for a bench spot in camp, and his strong performance so far should help his cause. Ibanez posted a .264/.312/.433 line in 114 games for the Tigers last year and gave the team plenty of defensive versatility as well. A similar role could be in store for him this season.
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Tigers' Andy Ibanez: Tallies three hits Saturday
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Ibanez went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI in Saturday's 8-0 win over the Guardians.
Ibanez continued his good recent stretch, as he's batting .371 over his last 10 games with eight RBI. It's been a solid season overall for the utility player, who's batting .264 with a .747 OPS. Ibanez has also recorded a career-high 11 home runs and 40 RBI. The 30-year-old should have a similar role in 2024, which could make him an occasional fantasy contributor in deeper leagues, though he's far from an elite option.
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Tigers' Andy Ibanez: Taking seat Friday
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Ibanez is absent from the lineup for Friday's game against the Guardians.
Ibanez had started nine straight games prior to Friday, making seven starts at second base and another two in left field. He'll begin this one on the bench, though, as Zach McKinstry covers second base and Akil Baddoo patrols left field.