Ibanez went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Friday's 7-3 win over the Royals.

EDGE Analysis

Ibanez launched his second home run of the season in the fourth inning, but he was then lifted for a pinch hitter in the fifth. The utility player is struggling a bit to begin the year with a .171 average and .627 OPS across 13 games. Ibanez can provide some fantasy value in spurts, though his role in Detroit comes with plenty of day-to-day volatility.

Ibanez went 2-for-5 with a double, a run scored and two RBI in Monday's 9-1 win over the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

This was the first multi-hit game of the year for Ibanez, who's been scuffling a bit overall with a .185 batting average. The utility player batted .241 during the regular season for the Tigers in 2024 and .264 the year prior, so he should be able to continue to trend upward in that category. Ibanez's offensive production doesn't generally jump off the page, though his versatility is at least somewhat helpful, both for Detroit and fantasy managers in deeper leagues.

Ibanez went 1-for-3 with a three-run homer in Monday's win over the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

Ibanez opened the game's scoring with his third-inning long ball, which proved to be the deciding factor in the 6-2 victory. It was his first extra-base hit of the season. After starting in an 0-for-9 rut through four games, he's collected a hit in each of his last three appearances. Ibanez is slashing .158/.273/.316 through 22 plate appearances.

Ibanez is slated to open the season as the Tigers' short-side platoon partner with Zach McKinstry at third base, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jace Jung was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Monday, setting up an uninspiring McKinstry/Ibanez platoon at the hot corner, at least until Matt Vierling (shoulder) is ready. Ibanez slashed .292/.357/.445 against left-handed pitching last season.

With the Tigers missing out on Alex Bregman in free agency, Ibanez is among several returning players who could see time at third base, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Had Bregman joined the Tigers, he likely would have played almost every day at the hot corner, which would have relegated Ibanez to more of a bench role. However, Detroit now seems primed to use several players at the position. Matt Vierling is likely the top option, but he can also play in the outfield. When Vierling is not at third, lefty-hitting Jace Jung is a natural platoon candidate. Ibanez should also work into the mix, though he has the versatility to play across the diamond and in the outfield.

Ibanez agreed to a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Tigers on Friday to avoid arbitration, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ibanez took a step back during his second year with the Tigers, slashing .241/.295/.357 over 244 plate appearances during the regular season. However, the Tigers have deemed his performance worthy of a $633,900 raise from his previous salary. He's expected to remain in a utility role next year.

Ibanez went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and three total RBI in Sunday's 9-4 win over the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Ibanez appeared as a pinch hitter in the fifth inning, then went deep in the seventh, giving him five home runs this season. The 31-year-old utility player has a respectable .261 average and .708 OPS, but with youngsters Spencer Torkelson, Colt Keith and Jace Jung now seeing regular playing time in Detroit's infield, Ibanez may see his role shrink in coming weeks. At the very least, Ibanez is an interesting bargain option in daily leagues whenever he's in the lineup.

Ibanez will start in left field and bat second in Thursday's game against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

With a southpaw (Justin Steele) on the hill for the Cubs, the Tigers are giving three of their lefty-hitting regulars (Riley Greene, Parker Meadows and Trey Sweeney) the afternoon off while opening up a prominent spot in the lineup for Ibanez. The 31-year-old utility man should remain a fixture in the lineup versus lefties for the rest of the season, as he's produced a. 958 OPS in those matchups so far in 2024.

Ibanez went 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored in Saturday's 7-3 win over the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

Ibanez got the Tigers on the board with an RBI double in the fifth inning and then added an RBI single and scored on a wild pitch in the seventh. While he isn't playing every day, the 31-year-old is hitting a ridiculous .388 with all four of his home runs and 20 of his 23 RBI against left-handed pitching this season.

Ibanez went 2-for-4 with a run scored and two RBI in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

Ibanez continued a strong June, as he's now batting .314 this month with six RBI and six runs scored across 15 games. The utility player is batting a solid .284 overall, and while he's not providing a ton of power, he has been a solid bat for the Tigers. Ibanez's biggest question moving forward is playing time, though Detroit figures to find creative ways to get him into the lineup even if he's not locked into a regular starting role.