Tigers celebrate citizenship for two Cuban players

The Detroit Tigers blew a three-run lead in the eighth inning and eventually lost on a home run in the ninth. Still, this was a day Jose Iglesias and Leonys Martin may look back on fondly for years.

Before Monday’s game against Oakland, the Tigers hosted a ceremony on the field in which a group of people were sworn in as American citizens. Iglesias and Martin, both natives of Cuba, were among them.

“I will never forget about my country, but it’s amazing to be part of United States,” said Martin, a 30-year-old outfielder. “Being able to do it here in the ballpark, right in front of the fans, that was really emotional.”

Martin played for Cuba in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. After defecting, he received a $15.5 million, fiveyear contract with the Texas Rangers in 2011. This is his first season with the Tigers.

Iglesias, a 28-year-old shortstop, made his big league debut in 2011 with the Boston Red Sox. He was traded to the Tigers in 2013, and he can look back now at the daunting process of getting used to a new country.

“It’s hard, man. You came. You face a new culture, face a new language, facing new food, new everything,” Iglesias said before the game. “Still learning. I’ve been here for 10 years, and I’m still learning.”

Manager Ron Gardenhire was excited about the ceremony.

“It’s really cool. These guys are really proud of that. I’m just hoping they can get to Canada,” he said. “They’ve lost their visas and green cards now once they’ve taken this citizenship, so they have to get a passport so they can go with us to Canada here in a few days.”

The Tigers play a fourgame series at Toronto starting Friday night.

No worries. This was still a special day for Iglesias and Martin.

“It’s amazing,” Iglesias said. “Become an American citizen in a ballpark, and with full uniform and everything. It’s a blessing.”

Mets: General manager Sandy Alderson is taking a leave of absence because his cancer has returned. The 70-year-old made the announcement before Tuesday’s game against Pittsburgh. He was hired by the Mets after the 2010 season. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2015, underwent treatment and remained on the job, reducing his work schedule at times while undergoing treatment.

Assistant general manager John Ricco and special assistants JP Ricciardi and Omar Minaya will run the team’s baseball operations in Alderson’s absence.

Brewers: Placed center fielder Lorenzo Cain on the 10-day disabled with a left groin strain and recalled outfielder Keon Broxton from Triple-A Colorado Springs. Cain, who left Saturday’s game against St. Louis and did not play Sunday, was hitting .291 with eight homers and 26 RBIs before going on the DL on Tuesday.

Orioles: Right-hander Dylan Bundy was placed on the 10-day disabled list after spraining his ankle running the bases in an interleague game. Manager Buck Showalter expects Bundy to spend the minimum time on the DL and return July 6.