Andy Ibáñez struggling vs lefties. That's a big problem for Detroit Tigers
CHICAGO — Andy Ibáñez is here for one reason.
The 32-year-old right-handed hitter occupies a spot on the Detroit Tigers' roster to hit left-handed pitchers, a platoon role he's held for three seasons. When a lefty starts, he's near the top of the lineup, and when a lefty reliever enters, he's typically the first pinch-hitter off the bench.
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One problem: Ibáñez isn't hitting lefties anymore.
"That's his job," manager A.J. Hinch said. "We need to get him going because it's a big part of how we counter the way that teams attack us."
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Andy Ibanez of the Detroit Tigers hits an RBI single against the Cleveland Guardians to drive in Gleyber Torres during the fourth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Sunday, May 25, 2025.
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Since July 21, 2024, Ibáñez is hitting .200 with a .578 OPS against left-handed pitchers across 136 plate appearances. He has hit just two home runs off lefties — and three total — during the disappointing 319-day stretch.
It's a steep drop from his previous production.
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"Recently, it has been a struggle," Ibáñez said in Spanish, interpreted by team employee Carlos Guillén. "I haven't performed as expected. They brought me in and used me in the role that I've been told that they're going to use me, but I have not performed the way they wanted or the way I wanted."
Before that slump, Ibáñez had been a reliable weapon against lefties, hitting .310 with 13 homers and an .858 OPS across his first 347 plate appearances against them in his five-year MLB career, which began in May 2021.
"We believe in him," Hinch said.
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Ibáñez showed frustration in the sixth inning Tuesday, June 3, with the Tigers trailing the White Sox by one run. When the White Sox summoned left-handed reliever Cam Booser to face left-handed hitter Kerry Carpenter, Hinch countered by pinch-hitting Ibáñez — the exact matchup he's on the roster to win.
Remember, Ibáñez is supposed to be a lefty-killer.
He struck out swinging, then shouted in frustration on his way back to the dugout.
"Andy takes it personal," said Hinch, who pinch-hit Ibáñez for Carpenter against Booser again Thursday, June 5, resulting in another strikeout, "and he should because he loves to compete. It's not going great for him right now."
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Ibáñez already diagnosed the reason for the problem.
It's the timing of his swing mechanics.
"That's why I haven't been getting the contact that I've been looking for," Ibáñez said. "It's when I'm charging forward with my left foot. That switches the balance of my body. If that goes late, everything goes late."
The next step is to fix the problem, which Ibáñez is trying to do with hitting coaches Michael Brdar, Keith Beauregard and Lance Zawadzki before games. He has been putting the ball in play and limiting strikeouts, both encouraging signs in pursuit of better results, but his contact quality needs significant improvement.
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Ibáñez has one minor-league option remaining, which gives the Tigers flexibility to send him to Triple-A Toledo if they decide he needs a reset. He could eventually be replaced by Justyn-Henry Malloy, who previously hit .260 with a .773 OPS against lefties at the MLB level this season.
For now, though, the Tigers are sticking with Ibáñez as their weapon against left-handed pitchers.
He's handling the struggles like a professional.
"Keep coming every day with a positive attitude," said Ibáñez, who played the hero in last year's wild-card series sweep of the Houston Astros, delivering a clutch pinch-hit double off left-handed reliever Josh Hader. "My thing is just to come here, work in the cages with the coaches and do my best."
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Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tigers' Andy Ibáñez struggling in role vs lefties. That's a problem
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