Detroit Tigers’ Jose Iglesias Out 4-6 Months

Oct 8, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias (1) talks to the media before game four of the American League divisional series against the Oakland Athletics at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Tigers officially released an update on Jose Iglesias‘ injury today after his Tuesday meeting with a specialist in Colorado.

I think none of us knew exactly what to expect as far as a time frame, but I think we all knew this was a possibility. Iglesias doing nothing load-bearing for four weeks means that he’ll really be out more like five months at a minimum, expecting that he’ll need time to get back into shape with running drills and a nice long minor league rehab assignment.

Dave Dombrowski again affirmed his position that they’re beginning the search for a replacement with internal candidates.

Speculation about Stephen Drew isn’t going to go away until either (1) the Tigers sign him, (2) someone else signs him, or (3) the Tigers get someone else, but it really doesn’t sound like Detroit is trying to pursue him very hard. I’m sure they’d make a move if the price was right, but they don’t seem to want to forfeit the draft pick AND pay Drew a market-rate salary.

It might make sense for the Tigers to sign Drew if he’s still available after the June draft (at which point the draft pick compensation would go away), but it doesn’t look like a great fit at the moment. At the very least, the Tigers can afford to wait a few weeks or months (even into the season) and see how Danny Worth or Eugenio Suarez fare with the job.