Tigers await answers on Iglesias, explore options
LAKELAND, Fla. -- While trade winds began to build around the Tigers in their search for a fill-in at shortstop, the team did not yet have a definitive answer or a rehab timetable on its starting shortstop, Jose Iglesias.
A Tigers spokesperson said the team would not have an update Wednesday on the status of Iglesias, who visited with foot and ankle specialist Dr. Thomas Clanton on Tuesday in Colorado. Both team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski and Iglesias' agent, Scott Boras, said this week that Iglesias could end up seeing one more specialist after the Colorado visit. However, there was no confirmation Wednesday whether that visit was taking place.
The Tigers are expected to wait for all medical input before announcing anything further on Iglesias. The last medical update came from Iglesias himself, who said he had been diagnosed with "small fractures" in both shins. He, too, was waiting for input from specialists on a rehab schedule. The Tigers have had no comment on what Iglesias said.
A rehab process for shin splints or fractures can involve much more than simple rest, extending into dietary and hereditary conditions. The list of possible factors could explain the extra time being taken.
While that process wore on, the search for Iglesias' replacement at shortstop continued. The in-house candidates were off on the Tigers' lone off-day of camp, but the search for potential options outside of camp rolled on.
ESPN's Jayson Stark tweeted Wednesday morning that several scouts said their clubs had been contacted by the Tigers asking about potentially available shortstops. A rival American League talent evaluator had a similar sentiment, saying Detroit is casting a wide net.
While Rick Porcello made his scheduled start in an intrasquad game against a lineup of mainly Double-A level hitters, Tigers teams at other developmental levels were playing on the rest of the back fields at the Tigertown complex. The audience included a handful of scouts, with the Cubs and Phillies among teams represented.
Meanwhile, Bruce Levine of CBS Chicago reported Wednesday morning that Tigers vice president of player personnel Scott Reid has been in Cubs camp scouting infielder Darwin Barney and outfielder Nate Schierholtz. Barney, a 28-year-old second baseman and shortstop with strong defensive skills, has been mentioned in Tigers trade rumors in the past, including last summer before Detroit traded for Iglesias. Schierholtz is a 30-year-old left-handed hitter who fits the profile of a platoon outfielder, similar to the role Andy Dirks was set to fill before he had back surgery earlier this month.
Rumors have swirled around Phillies camp regarding All-Star shortstop Jimmy Rollins and his future with the franchise, but he has a no-trade clause and has told reporters more than once he wants to remain in Philadelphia.
One option that has not been gaining traction is free agent Stephen Drew, either due to the Draft-pick compensation required to sign him or the multiyear deal he is believed to be seeking to avoid another round of Draft-pick compensation next winter.