Tigers call up Kozma to provide infield depth

CLEVELAND -- Shortstop José Iglesias may have played his last game in a Tigers uniform.
Though he received a cortisone shot on Wednesday, Iglesias was transferred to the 60-day disabled list on Friday afternoon to make room for infielder Pete Kozma, who was recalled from Triple-A Toledo. The move was announced prior to the opener of a three-game series against the American League Central-leading Indians at Progressive Field. Iglesias was placed on the 10-day DL on Aug. 30 with a lower abdominal strain and he did not travel with the team, according to manager Ron Gardenhire.
"More than likely, he's done for the season," Gardenhire said.
Iglesias has been the club's everyday shortstop since 2013, when he was acquired from the Red Sox. The seven-year veteran made his debut with Boston in 2011 and he is poised to become a free agent at the end of the season. The 28-year-old Iglesias is hitting .269/.310/.389, not far off from his .270 career average with a .678 OPS.
However, what's impressed Gardenhire -- in his first year as the Tigers' manager -- most about Iglesias is his defensive ability.
"I've seen him from the other side for a few other ballclubs, but finally getting to watch him actually play shortstop, I didn't realize how good he is," Gardenhire said. "He can really do some things. So that's been fun to watch him go about his business. He's done a really good job."
It's unclear if Iglesias wishes to sign another contract with the Tigers.
"We know what we're doing as an organization," Gardenhire said. "He's had a [heck] of a year, [but] that's going to be up to the bosses up there. We have backup plans, it's called young kids."

Kozma gives the club additional shortstop depth in the absence of Iglesias and utility man Niko Goodrum, who exited Wednesday's game against the Astros. Goodrum has been day to day with a right quad contusion. With no clear timetable for his return, Ronny Rodríguez is the only other option at shortstop, besides Kozma.
Tigers prospects Willie Castro and Sergio Alcántara could have been brought up along with Kozma, but Gardenhire said the club was reluctant to call up prospects without Major League experience. Outfielder JaCoby Jones played the middle infield spots coming up through the Minors, but Gardenhire said Jones would play there only in an "emergency."
Kozma, 30, appeared in 15 games for the Tigers prior to Friday, hitting .175/.195/.300 in 40 at-bats. The seven-year Major League veteran spent most of this season with the Mudhens, slashing .203/.260/.295 with a home run, two triples and 18 doubles in 83 games.
"He's played in the big leagues as a shortstop and anywhere in the infield, and he can pick it," Gardenhire said. "We desperately needed that after [Goodrum] got hurt. We're very limited. He's the kind of guy that's been there and done that. We like him.
"We know he's not going to bring a lot to the table with the bat, but he can put it in play and he knows how to do a lot of things, but more than anything else solidify shortstop so we can catch our breath right now."
Indians set to honor V-Mart
Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez will be honored by the Indians during a pregame ceremony on Saturday in celebration of his 17-year career. Martinez announced earlier this year that 2018 will be his final season in the Majors. Martinez was first signed by the Indians as an amateur free agent in 1996, and he was in the Tribe's organization until 2009, spending parts of eight MLB seasons in Cleveland since his debut in 2002.