Jose Iglesias Will Start Season on DL, Detroit Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski Says

Feb 27, 2014; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias (1) loose control of the ball as Atlanta Braves catcher Ryan Doumit (4) slides into second safely during the third inning at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Earlier today we passed on the rumor that injured Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias (shin splints) could end up missing most of the 2014 season. We don’t have that confirmed and we don’t yet know anything more, but today the team did announce that Iglesias would at least be starting the season on the disabled list.

Manager Brad Ausmus had been saying for several days that Iglesias was bumping up against the deadline of being able to get enough at-bats to be prepared for Opening Day. So even if he was good to go next week (not looking likely right now), he would begin the year in extended spring training or out on rehab assignment.

I really don’t think they’ll immediately run out and sign Stephen Drew. That might be the eventual course of action, but at a cost of (probably) nearly $10 million and (definitely) a first round draft pick, it’s looking like Plan F at the moment.

They’re seem to be giving rookie Eugenio Suarez (originally probably slated for AA Erie) a good hard look, and Danny Worth is also a reasonable option, but either option seems questionable if it really does turn out to be most of the season.

Some have suggested a trade with the Seattle Mariners for either Brad Miller or Nick Franklin, but I don’t see the Tigers giving up the kind of assets required to land a quality, young pre-arb player when what they really seem to need is a six-month-to-one-year stopgap. If the Tigers were to trade for someone, I’d bet on it being a veteran glove like Cliff Pennington. Someone who won’t hit very much but would make up for it with plus defense.