DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers have placed shortstop Jose Iglesias on the seven-day concussion disabled list and called up top relief pitching prospect Joe Jimenez, the team confirmed Friday.
Iglesias was injured Wednesday in the final play of the Tigers' walkoff loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. Iglesias was taking a throw at second base from Ian Kinsler, and slipped as he tried to turn the game-winning double play. Iglesias' throw got by Miguel Cabrera at first base and the Rays scored the winning run.
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Iglesias was hit by the runner sliding at second base and remained down on the field for several moments after the winning run crossed the plate. The team decided the injury is serious enough to warrant a stint on the disabled list.
Jimenez is being called up to take Iglesias' roster spot after the Tigers demoted him to Triple-A moments after his MLB debut. As the Tigers' top bullpen prospect, Jimenez's call-up was highly anticipated, and when he was sent down, the bullpen continued to struggle.
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Since the team placed Iglesias on the disabled list, Jimenez can be called up, even before the 10-day period following his demotion has passed.
Jimenez joins a bullpen that ranks as the worst in the league. Only Alex Wilson and Justin Wilson, who are currently slotted in as the seventh- and eight-inning relievers, respectively, have given Brad Ausmus steady production.
The Tigers previously said they didn't want to use Jimenez in high-leverage situations early in his career, but if he gets off to a strong start, they won't have much of a choice.
In his only MLB inning of work, Jimenez retired the Minnesota Twins 1-2-3, picking up his first strikeout and a pair of fly balls. He threw 13 pitches in the outing.
READ: What went wrong in Tigers' ugly series against the Rays?
Dixon Machado started at shortstop Thursday in Iglesias' absence, and is likely to get the majority of playing time over the next week.
The Tigers have lost three straight games after being swept by the Rays. Detroit is now 8-7 on the season.
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The #Tigers have placed SS José Iglesias on the 7-day concussion DL (retro to 4/20) and recalled RHP Joe Jiménez from Toledo (AAA).
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) April 21, 2017
Life is not about how many times you fall down. It's about how many times you get back up. #Candelita #Magnusstrong pic.twitter.com/MSu57ExS9Z
— Jose Iglesias (@JoseIglesias_SS) April 21, 2017