LAKELAND, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers needed to evaluate Andy Ibáñez before making any decisions about his availability to play.
Ibáñez, who turns 30 in early April, is certainly in the mix for a spot on the Opening Day roster. He left his teammates playing for Team Cuba in the World Baseball Classic and returned to the Tigers' facility in Lakeland for an MRI on Friday to get answers about his left finger sprain.
Ibáñez has been cleared for baseball activities and could play Sunday for Team Cuba in the WBC semifinals.
"It's possible," Tigers manager A.