Armando Johnson, director of the Cuban team in the V World Baseball Classic, said this Saturday at LoanDepot Park in Miami that there are still possibilities of having the infielder Andy Ibáñez in the semifinal of the event.
In a press conference held after the first training session of the team in Little Havana, the mentor explained that Andy will line up this Saturday with the Detroit Tigers in a preseason duel and his condition will be evaluated after suffering an injury to the fourth finger of his left hand.
Indeed, the Tigers placed Ibáñez as the third baseman and third baseman for this Saturday’s clash against the St. Louis Cardinals in Sarasota, Florida. If there are no complications, the pinero could join the Cuban squad for the semifinals of the Classic, an event in which he did not have the opportunity to debut during the first two rounds in Asia.
After today’s training for the press, he asked captain Alfredo Despaigne about the rest days added by #Cubaand the director Armando Johnson about his expectations, all facing the semifinal of the #WorldBaseballClassic2023. #BaseBall #CubanBaseball pic.twitter.com/GmqMzqvM0n
— JIT Cuban Sport (@jit_digital) March 18, 2023
the versatile infielder suffered a trauma to the middle phalanx of the fourth finger of the left hand. The injury occurred during Cuba’s last preparation match before the Classic, when he returned to first base after a turn from the rival pitcher.
That move forced Andy to sit on the bench for all four group games, which Cuba ended with losses to the Netherlands and Italy, and wins against Panama and Chinese Taipei.
“This whole situation is difficult, because I wanted to be part of the team all this time, but God didn’t allow it like that and I couldn’t play. I leave with the experience of the exhibition games, of being able to support the boys and that they pass in the first place, ”said Ibáñez when he learned about Detroit’s call to evaluate him in the United States.
If Ibáñez rejoins the team this Sunday, Cuba would have all its troops to fight for the pass to the Clásico final, since this Saturday the group was joined by slugger Yoenis Céspdes, from Granma, who had requested permission to address a personal situation “that cannot be postponed” a week ago.
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