Jose Iglesias.jpg

Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias has been out of action for more than a week due to recurring shin splint issues.

(AP File Photo)

JUPITER, Fla. -- Jose Iglesias was left behind when the Detroit Tigers made the long bus trip Sunday for back-to-back games in Jupiter.

Could the same thing happen when the Tigers make the long flight to Detroit for opening day?

Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus ventured down that road Sunday morning when asked how long the shin splints that have bothering Iglesias for more than a week might keep him out of the lineup.

"We're going to hit that point in spring training where there won't be enough games for him to get at-bats to get ready for the season," Ausmus said. "We've talked about it internally and we haven't set a firm date on that, but there is going to be a point where if he can't get on the field because of the injury then we're going to have to make a decision."

Ausmus didn't specify exactly how long he thinks Iglesias needs to play to be ready for opening day. There's a chance that Ausmus was simply sending Iglesias a message that he expects to see the young shortstop in action soon.

There are still three weeks remaining in spring training, which should provide Iglesias with plenty of time to get at-bats prior to the March 31 opener in Detroit against the Kansas City Royals. But the clock will start ticking if he doesn't get on the field soon. Iglesias had just two Grapefruit League at-bats -- both in the opener against the Atlanta Braves -- before the shin splints knocked him out of action.

The original estimate was that Iglesias would be out for about a week. But it's been 10 days and Iglesias is still not participating fully in baseball activities. Iglesias was out of action longer than initially expected last season when his shin splints bothered him late in the season.

In addition to getting the necessary number of at-bats to prepare for the season, he needs time in the field to get acquainted with newly acquired second baseman Ian Kinsler.

"I'd like to get them on the field together," Ausmus said. "They don't know each other and haven't played together. Hopefully, Jose's shin issue is resolved in a short time and the last few weeks of spring training they're out there standing on the same dirt at the same time."

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