Detroit Tigers’ Jose Iglesias Diagnosed With Stress Fractures in Both Legs

Sep 27, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias (1) heads towards the dugout during the sixth inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Marlins won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Jose Iglesias and the Detroit Tigers are beginning to get some answers as to what has been ailing the shortstop. Iglesias has been out of spring training action since late February with pain in his shins (it was originally referred to by many as shin splints), but the injury has finally been diagnosed as stress fractures in both shins.

Head athletic trainer Kevin Rand was made available to the media today, but he didn’t have much to add on Iglesias’ injury or timetable. The team wants him to visit a specialist before talking about potential recovery times.

I’m not a doctor, so I know nothing about stress fractures, but I do have access to Google and Wikipedia and I’m told by reliable sources (the internet, mostly) that they have all the answers. This is what Wikipedia has to say:

Rest is the only option for complete healing of a stress fracture. The amount of recovery time varies greatly depending upon the location, severity, the strength of the body’s healing response and an individual’s nutritional intake. Complete rest and a cast or walking boot are usually used for a period of four to eight weeks, although periods of rest of twelve to sixteen weeks are not uncommon for more severe stress fractures.

As with all types of injuries, it sounds like recovery time will vary from individual to individual, but if the above is any sort of guide, we shouldn’t expect Iglesias back with the Tigers before June (at the way earliest) and perhaps not until after the All-Star break (by the time he goes out on rehab assignment and all that). And that’s only if the recovery process goes smoothly. There’s always a chance of setbacks and more time without activity and all that.

We should probably wait until the real doctors have their say, but it’s looking broadly like a 2-4 month injury. We’ll have to see how the Tigers respond as far as a replacement goes. A trip to the 60-day disabled list looks like a good possibility, so that would open up a 40-man roster spot for a time.