Better plate appearances, definitely.
More run scoring, not so much.
The Detroit Tigers added a new weapon to their inconsistent offense before Saturday’s doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles. Infielder Andy Ibáñez, replacing injured outfielder Kerry Carpenter, earned a promotion from Triple-A Toledo.
“It’s a blessing,” Ibáñez said. “I’m very happy to be here.”
JEFF SEIDEL: Tigers need some offense. So why not call up Justyn-Henry Malloy?
NOTEBOOK: Tigers transfer Matt Manning to 60-day injured list; Kerry Carpenter to 10-day IL
Entering Saturday’s doubleheader, the Tigers had scored 74 runs, the fewest in baseball, while ranking 29th in the MLB with 3.08 runs per game. They were dead last among the 30 teams with a putrid .613 on-base-plus-slugging percentage.
The biggest problem has been getting key hits with runners in scoring position. The Tigers came into Saturday’s games with a .189 batting average in 201 at-bats with runners in scoring position.
Ibáñez, a career .188 hitter with runners in scoring position, possesses the tools to help the struggling offense, but the 30-year-old won’t put unnecessary pressure on himself to carry the Tigers in a time of need.
“I’m here to support my teammates,” Ibáñez said, with Tigers bilingual media coordinator Carlos Guillen interpreting. “I’m not going to be a superhero. I just want to work hard every day and do what I do, which is work hard, so I’m putting myself in God’s hands.”
MORE ABOUT HIM: Tigers’ Andy Ibáñez enters position battle in spring training after offseason tweaks
To activate Ibáñez from Triple-A Toledo, the Tigers cleared a spot on the 40-man roster by sending Matt Manning to the 60-day injured list and openied a spot on the 26-man roster by placing Kerry Carpenter on the 10-day injured list.
“We love how he got off to a good start swinging the bat,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “He’s demonstrated a little bit of power and demonstrated some at-bat control. His contact has been good. … A lot of those guys are swinging the bat pretty well down there, and it’s nice to have options, but he got off to a really good start.”
RILEY’S SLUMP: Tigers’ Riley Greene pins slump on ‘missing the mistakes’ but stays positive
TORK’S SWING RATE: Here’s why Tigers’ Spencer Torkelson is swinging more, walking less in 2023
At the end of spring training, though, the Tigers picked infielder Ryan Kreidler — who has since been demoted to the Mud Hens — over Ibáñez for one of the final spots on the Opening Day roster.
“That’s part of the business,” Ibáñez said about getting cut in spring training. “It has happened to me before in my career. I stayed positive. I trusted my family and got support from my family. I knew good things were supposed to happen.”
Ibáñez, a right-handed hitter, served as the Opening Day third baseman for the Texas Rangers in the 2022 season.
He has played 116 games in the big leagues (hitting .258 with a .306 on-base percentage) and owns a career .304 batting average against left-handed pitchers. On defense, he can handle second base, first base, left field and third base.
Upon reporting to Triple-A Toledo, Ibáñez worked alongside Mud Hens hitting coach Mike Hessman to find his way back to the big leagues. He focused on staying positive while regaining rhythm and comfort at the plate.
Missing time in spring training because of a sprained finger ultimately impacted his chances of joining the Tigers for Opening Day. The beginning of the season in Toledo, in some ways, felt like a rehab assignment.
“It helped me a lot,” Ibáñez said. “After the injury, it helped me get that trust (in my swing) again. I wasn’t playing constantly day after day (in spring training), so it gave me the trust and the self confidence that I was able to do that.”
A BIG HIT: Nick Maton declares ‘one game can change everything’ after homer helps end slump
E-ROD’S GAME: Eduardo Rodriguez’s ‘incredible’ gem ends in another frustrating loss for Tigers
For the Mud Hens, Ibáñez hit .297 with five home runs, 13 walks and 14 strikeouts in 20 games.
“I think he’s been pretty consistent,” Hinch said.
Ibáñez has posted an above-average 81.2% contact rate in his 116-game MLB career, which spans parts of two seasons. His contact rate ranks 82nd among 359 players with at least 400 plate appearances across the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
The Tigers hope the consistency translates to the big leagues, even if the playing time will be inconsistent.
“Just being patient,” Ibáñez said. “Patience helped me recognize pitches.”
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold.