The news with which we woke up here in Cuba today regarding a player who is in the key to Cuba’s and the undisputed starter at second base within the Cuban lineup for the World Baseball Classic is not good. Andy Ibáñez suffered an injury to one of his hands and will not be in the line-up for the opening challenge against the Netherlands, this Tuesday, at 11:00 PM (Cuban time).
“Andy was injured in his first at bat when he got to first then had to dive back to the bag causing a contusion on the phalanx of the fourth finger of his left hand. When the game was over he was given medical treatment all day and the night because the finger was swollen,” the doctor of the Cuba team, Francisco Montesinos, told the digital newspaper JIT.
Yariel a las puertas del Clásico Mundial de Beisbol
— JIT Deporte Cubano (@jit_digital) March 7, 2023
«Me siento en condiciones de hacerlo», aseguró el hombre que abrirá contra Países Bajos en la fecha inaugural del certamen. #Cuba #elCubaClasico #ClasicoMundialDeBeisbol #baseball #BeisbolCubano https://t.co/bCaBEDbQbe pic.twitter.com/QkpfhF8oLP
Andy is one of those who was best performers at the plate in the preparation games. He hit five of six at bats in the two games against Brothers and Rakuten, in the last clash against the Elephants he hit in all three at bats an scored a run. It only remains to be seen how Ibáñez will recuperate and see when he can be incorporated into the lineup. Without a doubt Cuba’s offense takes a big hit with his absence at the leadoff spot.
Una lesión impedirá que Andy Ibáñez integre la alineación con que #Cuba enfrentará este miércoles a Países Bajos en el partido inicial del #ClasicoMundialDeBeisbol. El Dr. Francisco Montesinos, jefe médico del equipo, aporta los detalles. #BaseBall#BeisbolCubano pic.twitter.com/P13VxcE9OQ
— JIT Deporte Cubano (@jit_digital) March 7, 2023