Jose Iglesias leaves today’s game with shin contusion

Detroit Tigers’ fans watching today’s game on MLB Network today were likely holding their breath when Jose Iglesias was removed because of a shin contusion. Iglesias and the Tigers are shrugging it off as no big deal, however.

More from Motor City Bengals

• Detroit Tigers: Victor Reyes finding ways to get the job done
• The Detroit Tigers must cut their losses and release Jonathan Schoop
• Detroit Tigers: Garrett Hill’s new role and changed delivery are excellent
• Detroit Tigers: Joe Jiménez has rebounded in 2022
• Detroit Tigers: Is it finally time to move the fences in at Comerica Park?

The injury occurred when Iglesias awkwardly slid into second base in the fourth inning on a successful steal. He later came around to score, but did not come out to the field in the bottom of the inning.

Manager Brad Ausmus briefly considered letting Iglesias take the field in the bottom of the fourth but changed his mind. Jose was slated to go four innings tops.

Following the game, Iglesias was seen icing the right shin but maintained it was not related to the injury that caused him to have surgery and miss the entire 2014 season. The 25-year-old starting shortstop said it was just a bruise and he was fine. He was more upset about the slide than seemingly slight discomfort.

“It was just a bad slide,” Iglesias told James Schmehl of MLive.com. “It’s just timing — that’s everything. But I got a stolen base and I scored a run for the team, so that’s what matters.

Iglesias was already scheduled to have the day off on Saturday against the Braves at Walt Disney World and is still on schedule to play in Lakeland on Sunday against the Houston Astros. Ausmus has been giving the recovering player every other day off to reduce wear early on in the season.

It’s clear had it been a regular season game Iglesias likely stays in. The Tigers are just taking every precaution and then some in meaningless Spring Training games.

The Tigers and Mets battled on MLB Network this afternoon in a game that was notable because of the return of Matt Harvey. A rookie phenom in the 2013 season, he felt arm pain in a regular season start against the Tigers in Aug. 2013 and underwent Tommy John surgery a few days later. This was his first game action since, throwing two perfect innings with a top speed of 99 MPH.

Working on a new curveball for the Tigers, starter David Price was wild, but didn’t allow a run.

The game was tied at 4 when Mets’ infielder Matt Reynolds hit a walkoff homer to give New York the 5-4 win.

Next: Top Five Fantasy Sleepers