Cuban Infielder Andy Ibáñez Signs Minor League Deal with Seattle Mariners

August 21, 2026

Cuban infielder Andy Ibáñez signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners in mid-August 2026, adding organizational depth as the club looks to shore up its offense against left-handed pitching down the stretch. The 33-year-old made his debut with the organization at Triple-A Tacoma, going 4-for-8 with two doubles across his first two games.

Born in Havana on April 3, 1993, Ibáñez left Cuba in 2014 and signed with the Texas Rangers the following year, debuting in the majors in 2021. Over parts of six MLB seasons with the Rangers, Detroit Tigers and Oakland Athletics, he has appeared in 434 games, batting .250 with a .684 OPS, 28 home runs and 59 doubles. He has been especially effective against left-handed pitchers, hitting .272 with 17 home runs against them, and has posted strong defensive numbers at multiple infield positions, including 25 defensive runs saved and 13 outs above average for his career.

Ibáñez's best individual season came in 2023 with Detroit, when he hit .264 with 11 home runs, 23 doubles and a .745 OPS across 114 games. His most memorable postseason moment came in October 2024, when his pinch-hit, three-run double off closer Josh Hader helped the Tigers complete a wild-card series sweep of the Houston Astros.