The Red Sox have signed veteran infielder Jose Iglesias to a major-league contract for the remainder of the 2021 season, the club announced earlier Monday afternoon.
Iglesias, 31, was released by the Angels on Friday and had been spotted at Fenway Park on Monday morning before his signing was made official.
In 114 games with Los Angeles this season, Iglesias slashed .259/.295/.375 (84 wRC+) with 23 doubles, one triple, eight home runs, 41 RBI, 57 runs scored, five stolen bases, 18 walks, and 66 strikeouts across 447 plate appearances while seeing all of his playing time come at shortstop.
The Red Sox have found themselves in need of infield depth as of late, as Enrique Hernandez, Christian Arroyo, Xander Bogaerts, and Yairo Munoz have all been out on the COVID-19 related injured list on account of testing positive for the virus.
Before Monday, Boston had been mainly relying on Jack Lopez and Jonathan Arauz to fill the gap left behind in the middle infield by Arroyo and Bogaerts, but they now gained a more experienced infielder in Iglesias.
Known for his defensive prowess more than his offensive capabilities, Iglesias has not had the best season at shortstop, as he has put up negative-21 defensive runs saved while posting an ultimate zone rating of negative-4.9.
A native of La Habana Cuba, the 5-foot-11, 195 pound right-handed hitter originally signed with the Red Sox as an international free agent in September 2019.
He made his major-league debut for the Sox in May 2011 and appeared in 98 games with the club before being part of a three-team trade involving the Tigers and White Sox that saw him go to Detroit and veteran starter Jake Peavy come to Boston in July 2013.
Since that trade was made, Iglesias was named to his first All-Star team while with the Tigers in 2015 and has also played for the Reds, Orioles, and Angels.
Having previously worn the No. 10 the last time he put on a Red Sox uniform more than eight years, Iglesias will wear the No. 12 this time around. He will not be eligible for the postseason since he signed after the September 1 deadline.
(Picture of Jose Iglesias: Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
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