Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias learned last week that he has stress fractures in both of his legs. Shin pain isn’t anything new to the 24-year-old, though.
Iglesias told MLB.com on Monday he has been playing through pain in both shins since last spring training, which he spent with the Boston Red Sox. The injuries have only gotten worse over time, and Iglesias is expected to miss a big chunk of the 2014 season.
“I just felt it from the very first moment of (last) spring training,” Iglesias said. “I just told myself to play through it, because I never expected something like that. I just feel pain, but Stephen Drew had a concussion at the time and that was an opportunity for me to start with the team. And I was like, ‘You know what? You’ve got to play through it.’ And I did it.
“Last year, I played through the pain all year long,” Iglesias added. “Sometimes (Red Sox manager John) Farrell had to give me some days the same as (former Tigers manager) Jim Leyland here. He had to give me some days or take me out of the game because the pain was so bad. And I was like, ‘Man, I don’t know what to do to get rid of it.’ And I never found out until right now that it was a fracture.”
Farrell said Sunday the Red Sox had to monitor Iglesias’ shin injuries last season.
Iglesias, who was traded to the Tigers last July as part of the deal that sent Jake Peavy to the Red Sox, said he expects to play at some point in 2014, although there is no timetable for his return.
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