Sancti Spíritus catcher Yunior Ibarra did not return to Cuba after finishing the season in the Intercountry Baseball League of Canada, according to journalist Francys Romero’s report today. Ibarra played with Kitchener Panthers this season along with his countrymen Raúl González, Yamichel Pérez and Yadian Martínez, whom did return to the island.
Ibarra, 28, had played for the national team in several tournaments and was part of the pool that he is currently training at the Latinoamericano in Havana for the 2023 Pan American Games. Many consider him as the island’s second best defensive catcher behind Ariel Martínez.
Catcher Yunior Ibarra (28) did not return to Cuba after finishing the Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) season in Canada, per sources.
The three remaining players hired by the Cuban Baseball Federation in this league did return today (Raúl González, Yamichel Pérez and Yadián… pic.twitter.com/6bjADEfcRc
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) September 7, 2023
In 10 Serie Nacionales with Santci Spíritus , he hit 6 home runs, knocked in 135 runs and hit an anemic .219. His also slashed .307/.270/.577 in 1,063 at-bats. During that time he also swatted 233 hits, 36 doubles and scored 110 runs. This season with Kitchener he batted for .270, with 34 hits in 126 at-bats , where he also hit 4 doubles, deposited three balls in the stands, drove in 21 runs, and walked on 13 occasions.
In the postseason in the Canadian circuit, he hit .308, finishing second on the time during the postseason. The Panthers were eliminated in the semifinal by the Barrie Baycats who swept them in three games. With his departure the National team will likely add another catcher to the pool, but this leaves a gaping hole in the position for Sancti Spíritus.