Andy

Ibáñez

Ibáñez, hitting .118/.167/.118 through his first 18 plate appearances of the season with the Athletics, will fit right in with the Mets.

The A’s needed to clear a spot on their active roster for the return of Brent Rooker (oblique) on Sunday and unfortunately for Ibáñez, he drew the short straw. The fact that he was hitting an abysmal .118/.167/.118 with zero homers and three RBI through his first 18 plate appearances didn’t help his cause.

It’s just a routine day off with a day game after a night game, but it will come with Chris Sale on the mound, which isn’t a terrible thing. Lawrence Butler will also get a day off, although his is a bit more platoon-based. Andy Ibanez will start at first base, and Austin Wynns will enter the lineup at catcher with Shea Langeliers moving to DH.

Ibáñez signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Dodgers in the middle of January, but was designated for assignment less than a month later. The 32-year-old hit .239/.301/.352 for the Tigers last season and could platoon with Jeff McNeil this upcoming season, getting his starts mainly against left-handed pitchers.

That was quick. Ibáñez had just signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract in the middle of January, and now he is off the 40-man roster two weeks before pitchers and catchers report. It’s possible someone could make a waiver claim, but there’s just as good of chance he’ll hit free agency — again — in a few days.

This finalizes a deal that was agreed to on Friday. Ibáñez, who hit .239/.301/.352 for the Tigers last season, will probably get a spot on the Dodgers bench initially, though he might just be keeping a seat warm for Kiké Hernández, who is widely expected to be re-signed by the Dodgers and who is due to miss the first month or so after elbow surgery. Until then, Ibáñez figures to see starts at second and third versus left-handed pitchers.

The deal is pending a physical. Ibáñez was non-tendered by the Tigers at the end of the 2025 season, but he’s a 32-year-old who can play third and second base while showing a propensity for hitting left-handed pitching. He’ll likely see the overwhelming majority of his playing time at third base when a southpaw is the opposing starter.

Ibáñez will now become a free agent. The 32-year-old has shown a propensity for beating up on left-handed pitching, and likely will get a chance with a new club — perhaps as a non-roster invite — to continue to do just that.

There are no real surprises here. The Tigers are using the same lineup on Tuesday that they used against most right-handed pitching in the final weeks of the season. Javier Baez will play shortstop and bat ninth, which means Trey Sweeney will be on the bench. Andy Ibanez figures to come in for McKinstry if the Guardians bring in a left-handed reliever.

Once again Keith finds himself situated on the bench with an opposing left-hander on the mound. This time it’ll be Andy Ibanez starting in his place at third base and batting third for the Tigers against Jesus Luzardo and the Phillies on Friday evening.