Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias could miss “half the year or more,” reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.
Heyman notes that further evaluation of what was thought to be shin splints revealed something much more severe. Given that Iglesias will be out an extended period of time, the Tigers will either have to search for another option or go in-house to fill the void.
Steve Lombardozzi would likely play short on Opening Day if the season were to start tomorrow.
Prior to knowing the extent of the injury, Tigers head trainer Kevin Rand told Mike Axisa of CBSSports.com about the injury:
We’re trying to manage his pain right now and get him some relief, because our feeling is if we’re able to get him some relief there, then he’d be able to resume his activity. He can run, but slowing down is where he has the biggest issue. And then the problem is that as he progresses, it gets a little worse.
Iglesias is known for his skills in the field and projects as a future Gold Glove winner at shortstop. He was fantastic at the plate in 2013, however, batting .330/.376/.409 with the Boston Red Sox before being dealt midseason to the Tigers.
In 46 games with Detroit, he came back down to Earth with a line of .259/.306/.348. Overall, he hit .303/.349/.386 with three homers and 29 RBI.
Detroit had big expectations for Iglesias in his first full season in the bigs, but now they will likely have to wait several months to see him in action.
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