MLB 2023 | Ibáñez with three hits, Iglesias blows save, Blanco is called up

Major League Baseball (MLB) and other Cuban Players News for the 2023 season. A compendium from several sources

Andy Ibáñez (Photo: José Juárez/AP)

Jun 12

Andy Ibáñez went 3-for-4 with a homer and a walk versus the Braves on Monday.

Against the Braves on Monday, Andy Ibáez was 3-for-4 with a home run (3) and a walk in a 6-5 win for the Tigers. The big game comes in his first start in a week. He had a nice first 10 days for the Tigers, but he entered Monday tonight with a .180/.212/.320 line in 104 plate appearances. He's surely better than that, but he's also probably not someone who should be in the Tigers' plans for 2024 and beyond.

Raisel Iglesias gave up three runs and five hits in the ninth to blow a save Monday against the Tigers.

Yikes. It's the first time that Iglesias has allowed five hits in an appearance in seven seasons as a reliever. He had allowed a total of two hits over 11 1/3 innings in his previous 12 outings. His velocity was fine tonight, and he got six missed swings in 27 pitches. We'll write it off as a fluke. After the game he said to the press: "I feel like the command of the pitches was there. They came out aggressive, looking to make contact knowing that I'm a pitcher that throws a lot of strikes."

Rangers' Adolis García: Swipes bag in loss. García went 1-for-5 with a walk, double and stolen base in Monday's 9-6 extra-innings loss to the Angels. García stole his sixth base in six tries over 64 games. He's not running as much this year as he did in 2022, when García attempted 31 thefts over 156 games.

On Monday night, Aroldis Chapman looked amazing.

Chapman struck out three in a perfect inning during Monday's 5-4 loss to the Reds. He has two saves and seven holds while allowing just one run over his last 6.2 innings with a 14:4 K:BB in that span. The southpaw continues to primarily serve as the setup man to Scott Barlow, though the Royals' overall struggles have limited save chances so far. Chapman has a 2.70 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 41:15 K:BB over 23.1 innings.

Royals recalled OF Dairon Blanco from Triple-A Omaha.

Blanco gets the call to the majors ahead of Monday's series opener against the Reds. He got into five games last year for the Royals and has put up a stratospheric .347/.444/.451 triple-slash line with three homers and a staggering 47 stolen bases across 208 plate appearances in 49 games this season for Triple-A Omaha. The 30-year-old outfielder has the stolen base upside to make an impact in the league.

Arozarena and Díaz: Combined for one hit Monday.

Randy Arozarena and Yandi Díaz combined for a 1-for-6 game with two walks and two strikeouts on Monday. Arozarena had the only hit of the pair, his eighth double of the year, while Yandy did not record a hit. The two continue to play key roles at the top of the Rays' lineup as the team fights for the AL East title.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was not in the Diamondbacks' starting lineup for Monday night's showdown against the Phillies.

Diamondbacks' skipper Torey Lovullo told reporters that it was just a regular day of rest for the hard-hitting outfielder as they ease him back into action following a groin injury. Expect him to return to the lineup on Tuesday.