Rob Parker: Health concerns surround Jose Iglesias

LAKELAND, Fla. – It might be fair to say that Jose Iglesias is the biggest tease in Major League Baseball.

The leather he flashed in 2013, when he first came to the Tigers, was must-see TV.

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Iglesias, the Tigers' starting shortstop, made eye-popping plays and catches that had many fans and sports writers, for that matter, amazed.

During that season, there was the dive in short left-center to grab a blooper that looked like a hit all the way when it left the bat.

There was another play on a slow roller to short that Iglesias barehanded and left his feet to deliver the ball at first in time to nail the batter.

Sadly, that was 2013.

Since then, it's been all about his health and whether he can stay on the field.

In 2014, Iglesias, now 25, missed the entire season with stress fractures in both of his shins.

Think about it. Tigers manager Brad Ausmus has heard about his ability, but hasn't really seen his shortstop in action since taking over this team.

Nonetheless, Ausmus still raves about Iglesias.

"Although I haven't seen Iglesias (much), reports are and the video I've seen, he's one of the best in the game right now," Ausmus said.

Iglesias was back at shortstop and batted second on Thursday when the Tigers took on the Houston Astros in Kissimmee.

It was just his fourth spring start at shortstop. He's scheduled to make his first back-to-back start on Friday as DH.

A few days ago, many in Lakeland held their breath as Iglesias was helped off the field.

Iglesias took a line drive off one of his shins during batting practice. At first, some feared the worst, but he was okay.

"I'm not concerned," said Iglesias, who came to the Tigers from the Boston Red Sox in a three-team deal in July 2013. "The X-rays were negative. I'm really happy about that."

When asked if he was tired of talking about injuries and would rather talk about his play on the field, Iglesias said, "No, I just want to talk to you guys (the media)."

Ausmus wasn't laughing, though.

"I was worried about it," he said. "I've never seen anybody get hit in the shin in batting practice. The one guy with shin problems gets hit. So it was a concern."

To say the least, the Tigers need Iglesias to be both healthy and productive. When we last saw him in the AL Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox in Oct. 2013, he was just that.

For sure, he makes the Tigers a better team, especially defensively. It's an area that needs improvement.

At the plate in 2013, Iglesias batted .259 with two home runs and 10 RBI in 46 games for the Tigers. He committed just six errors in 357 chances. He finished second to Wil Myers in AL Rookie of the Year voting.

Most have been anticipating more from Iglesias, especially with the arrival of Ian Kinsler at second base. The two haven't played together in a regular season game, yet.

Kinsler had a great year at second base in 2014, playing at nearly a Gold Glove level. Boston's Dustin Pedroia won the award.

Still, Ausmus, just on potential, was even willing to say his double-play combination could be as good as Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker. That's a big compliment, indeed. The past Tigers' combo was part of the longest running duo at second base and shortstop in MLB history.

"It could be really good defensively," Ausmus said. "Kins was outstanding last year at second."

Barring a setback, the Tigers have the same expectations for Iglesias. When they acquired him, it was with hopes that he was going to be their shortstop of the future.

That plan has been derailed thus far. But Iglesias has overcome plenty already. He defected from the Cuban junior national team while in Canada in 2009.

Tigers fans were teased in 2013 and now simply wonder if Iglesias can get past his health woes.

If he does, Tigers fans are in for a treat at short.